[Geysers] Trip Report 4-25 to 5-3-09

[Jeff Cross]

Hi Michael,

How is your spring going?  Are you through finals yet?

Did you notice the list discussion about Pygmy Geyser?

I remember that in 1994(?), you and I and Dave were watching Bronze Spring.
A small sputtering patch in the sand was erupting during certain parts of the
Bronze Spring eruption cycle.  I think the vent of this feature was very nearly
under the boardwalk.

Was this Pygmy Geyser?

Jeff Cross

PS: Dave came by for a nice visit last month.  We witnessed four major
eruptions of Blast Geyser, which is getting bigger with time.  The height
of the water column I estimate at 70-90 feet.  It resembles a large eruption
of Catfish Geyser.
________________________________________
From: geysers-bounces at lists.wallawalla.edu [geysers-bounces at lists.wallawalla.edu] On Behalf Of Michael Goldberg [mikeg at math.jhu.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, May 06, 2009 8:58 PM
To: Geyser Observation Reports
Subject: Re: [Geysers] Trip Report 4-25  to 5-3-09

Dear Stephen,

My recollection of Penta comes from its active periods in the early '90s,
when Tardy cycles were dominant for days at a time.  Nearly all eruptions
were initiated by bubbling in the lower vents growing into continuous
sputtering, then finally the main vent would join in.

I've also seen solo main vent eruptions of the type you described, usually
earlier in the cycle before Penta is filled to overflowing.  I suspect
that when Penta is sporadic and infrequent, the occasional full eruption is
initiated this way.  But I have no evidence to back that up.

Late in the cycle, there is a pronounced exchange of function between
Penta and Oval Pool.  Penta drops abruptly when Oval has its intermittent
wave periods and refills just as abruptly at their conclusion.  The water
levels bounce around quite vigorously each time.

Were you watching Penta closely enough to see whether the main vent
started on its own, or was it encouraged into activity by the lower vents?

Michael Goldberg
mikeg at math.jhu.edu

Stephen Eide wrote:

The Penta starts I have seen (I think six) have all started with the side
vents and then the main vent joined in.  But three times in the last two
years I have seen the main vent boil up to 2-4 feet for several
seconds,only to drop out of sight.  So, for those of you who have seen
Penta starts, do all Penta eruptions start with the side vents, or does it
occasionally start with boiling in the main vent?
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