[Geysers] Giant by the numbers

[David Monteith]

Now that we can (sadly) close the book on Giant's remarkable 2005-2008 active 
phase, I thought it might interest the readers of this list to see some of 
the statistics I compiled.
 
Giant, August 2005-April 2008 active phase
 
Beginning of active phase:  August 6, 2005
End of active phase:  April 29, 2008
Duration of active phase:  33 months
 
Total eruptions in active phase:  126*
Total eruptions 1955-2004:  145
 
Eruptions from April 10-30, 2006, a 3-week period:  7
Eruptions from April 15, 2002-April 15, 2004, a 2-year period: 2
 
Eruptions by year:
2005:  11
2006:  47 (tied with 1997 for most eruptions in one calendar year since 1955)
2007:  54* (new record for most eruptions in one calendar year since 1955)
2008:  14
 
Longest interval of active phase:  23d02h10m (August 2005, the first interval 
of the active phase)
Shortest interval of active phase:  ~2d17h10m (April 2006, also the shortest 
interval since 1955)
 
Longest interval after May 2006:  16d00h05m (June 17-July 3, 2006)
Shortest interval after May 2006:  4d07h41m (July 24-28, 2007)

Of the 126 known eruptions, information about Giant's relation to Grotto is 
known for 114* eruptions.  54 of those eruptions occurred on a marathon 
recovery.  Of the remaining eruptions, 27 took place during Grotto; 18 of 
those Grotto eruptions became marathons.  33 occurred between Grotto 
eruptions; 13 of the subsequent Grotto eruptions were marathons.
 
Hot period details are known for 64 eruptions:
 
35 eruptions were preceded by Mastiff
6 eruptions began during a Feather restart
2 eruptions were preceded by a "double Mastiff"
2 eruptions were preceded by Mastiff solos the previous day
  
* All statistics include possible December 10, 2007 eruption (webcam report, 
not confirmed by washed signs)
 
 
Tara Cross
--fanandmortar at hotmail.com