[Geysers] Geyser Report 8/22-8/23

[Karen Webb]

We reported in a series of Atomizer minors beginning with what we are 
sure was the first minor while we waited out Artemesia on the 22nd.  We 
noticed as we left (unfortunately just missing F&M, but we had a child 
to get home to) that neither made the log book (not sure why Art is 
there and Atom isn't, as we turned them in at the same time).  Anyway, 
had a question for the more experienced Atomizer watchers,  We had a 
consistent 90 minutes between minors till the interval between the 3rd 
and 4th minor, which was two hours.  Each minor was preceded by 2-4 
episodes of good overflow (what I call water "sheeting the cone") and 
the later ones would have small surges as if an eruption might be about 
to start.  These happened in the neighborhood of 7-13 minutes apart and 
started about half an hour before the actual eruption.  The last minor 
we observed, which had excellent (50-60 feet) height and a duration of 
about 90 seconds, behaved like it might do a quick comeback  major.  
Then the steam bumps started.  By the time Artemesia with its 28 minute 
duration finished, a storm was coming in, it was getting dark, and we 
were wondering if *all* the minors had been 90, then 120 minutes apart, 
if we might be looking at a 3 hour wait for the major (gut feeling was 
that the next one would be the major despite notes I've seen about 6-8 
minors before the major).  Love Atomizer, but not quite that much.
    Anyway, wondered if anyone could comment on the longer minors with 
the multiple episodes of overflow that seemed to delay the minors?  In 
know Dave and Kyle had been out a day earlier and seen a very normal 
progression including a quick comeback major.  My only experience with 
this sheeting the cone/no eruption thing is very early in the action 
before the first minor really occurs and after that if you see overflow 
and bubbling, you get an eruption.  (I even remember Rocco telling me 
once upon a time that some gazers felt justified calling that phenomenon 
the first minor.)
Thanks,
Karen

Ben Hoppe wrote:
> Sorry for the delay in the reports. I worked the closing shift on
> Saturday (8/22) and Sunday (8/23) so I didn't have much of a chance to
> get the times.
>
> TIMES FROM SATURDAY, AUGUST 22
> Castle 1156
> Daisy 0706, 0915, 1117, 1316, 1715
> Fountain 0821 (d=34m)
> Grand 1326
> Great Fountain 1240
> Riverside 1020, 1612
> Beehive 0234ie, 1433
> Plume intervals were under 60 minutes. Nearer to the 50-55 minute area.
> Artemisia 1855
> Aurum 0708, 1456
> Grotto 0847ns
> Lion 1258, 1427
> Oblong 0909ie, 1412
> Uncertain 1329ie
> Rocket major 1111
>
> TIMES FROM SUNDAY, AUGUST 23
> Aurum 1522
> Grotto 0600ie
> Lion 1005, 1138ie, 1840ie
> Oblong 0802, 1410ie
> Plate 0948ie, 0721ie
> Rift 0804ie
> Little Squirt active, seen 1312ie
> Castle 1501 major
> Daisy 0633, 0841, 1111, 1313ie, 1510ie, 1709
> Fountain 0846
> Grand 0649 (T2Q), 1532 (T2Q)
> Riverside 1023, 1618
> Beehive 1447 (Indicator 1434)
> Plume intervals again under 60 minutes all day
>
> Fan and Mortar start was 1253 from a lock. Duration was 34 minutes.
> Once the minor vents were in a lock, East Vent started, and after what
> seemed like an eternity (probably only 10 seconds) Main Vent joined in
> with Mortar. Mortar was VERY impressive this eruption. Lower Mortar
> joined in with excellent water unlike the last eruption. I was able to
> get down there after lunch in the Employee Dining Room and get back
> with plenty of time to spare before work started at 1345. What a day
> to begin work!
>
> -Ben Hoppe
>
>