[Geysers] Opening Weekend 2010 - Norris

[MA Bellingham]

I was fortunate to see a good string of Plume, Beehive, Lion, Aurum, Lion and Grand on Friday's opening day, those have been reported here. (The Aurum was not reported in the webcam report, I=3:40.) 

 

As is my custom, I stop and check Norris coming and going on opening weekend.  

 

The ice cone at Black Growler is as impressive as it has been years past.  Ledge and Guardian have added to it.  There are water sounds coming from the fumarole/breakout under the boardwalk just north of the intersection coming into Porcelain Basin.  

 

Constant, Arsenic, Fireball and Lava Pool complex were all active.  

 

Constant was regular at 25-30 minutes, with a 2nd burst 2.5 - 3 minutes after the first. This continued for all my observations Friday and Saturday (morning and evening both days), a friend witnessed single burst eruptions on Sunday. 

 

Fireball was interesting, Friday morning I witnessed what seemed to be 3 strong, distinct eruptions, 6 minutes apart.  Friday evening it seemed to be 10 minutes, with steam phases between. Saturday it was on/off/steam/thin water/on/off/heavy water/etc for an hour.  I don't have enough information to recognize a pattern or know if it is a series.  I regularly stop at Norris to stretch my legs on my drives home and only saw one Fireball eruption last summer so this is very intriguing and I will spend some more time there this spring.  

 

Something in what has to be the Lava Pool complex erupted regularly both days with the biggest water I can remember seeing, some bursts going higher than the "former boardwalk" ridge behind it.  Intervals were 35-45 minutes, duration varied; again exhibiting some start-stop behavior like Fireball. It bears further observation. 

 

Arsenic is active, the one eruption I saw was D=17.

 

Congress Pool is low. I didn't witness any water jets from Carnegie Drill hole as we saw last spring.  The high pressure vents in Porcelain are still active, and Incline is splashing from the vent.  

 

I only made one tour of the back basin, Saturday morning in a drizzle. 

 

Forgotten Fumarole is steaming.  Monarch overflowing. Vixen was steaming with no water sounds. Pearl was full and calm, "Mini Pearl" still active.  Yellow Funnel was nearly empty and erupting brown water from the vent.  Black Hermit has an overflow channel that flows down to and across the trail.  Echinus is in heavy overflow.  Cistern is a very pretty green color.  Veteran was active (minor).   New Crater splashing, I didn't stay there long in the rain.  The biggest burst I saw was north vent, but little to no concerted action.  

 

If anyone remembers information on Fireball particulars from past years, let me know and I will try to find a pattern on my next visit.  Or study the empty hole! Anything can happen at Norris... 

 

Summer 2010 is off to a good start.

See you on the boardwalks,

MA

 

M.A. Bellingham

mabdepot at msn.com
 		 	   		  
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