[Geysers] FW: Fountain/Morning dual i.e. (in eruption) at 0858 on 30 Oct. 2012

[Tara Cross]

Forwarding a message from Bill Warnock.

From: billwarnock at wyellowstone.com
To: geysers at lists.wallawalla.edu
CC: lstephens2006 at hotmail.com; john6151 at aol.com; fanandmortar at hotmail.com; TSBryan at aol.com; mabdepot at msn.com; schwarzmb at gmail.com
Subject: Fountain/Morning dual i.e. (in eruption) at 0858 on 30 Oct. 2012
Date: Tue, 30 Oct 2012 18:16:30 -0700

As I entered Fountain Flats from the north, I saw a large steam cloud and bursts of water to the left of Clepsydra. As I got closer I saw a large discharge of steaming water coming down the hill from Morning's platform towards Gentian and believed Morning to be in eruption.  The thermometer was 31 as I parked, and the boardwalk from the parking lot was icy.  When I reached the Fountain Paintpots, I could hear some loud bursts and soon saw that BOTH Fountain and Morning were in eruption.  The wind was about 5-10 mph blowing from Fountain over morning, obscuring the view of Morning.  But Morning was having booming bursts equal in size to Fountain's, and steam tracks followed large water drops from both geysers.  Morning continued until 0928 with many high shots, the highest around 70-80 feet.  Ralph and Donna Friz joined me shortly after Morning ended, and Fountain continued until 1101.  It had high bursts until the very end...seen in eruption for over two hours.  Who knows when the eruptions started, but the Morning overflow was all the way to the bottom of the hill when I arrived.  My guess is that I arrived not long after the start, given Fountain's two-hour plus duration, Morning's 30 minutes plus.  Others who witnessed the 1991 duals may have more to add.  Lynn Stephens told Maureen that two-hour Fountains had occurred at that time.  Morning had 3-4 hour intervals during August 1991 and could last over 30 minutes.  Dare we hope a new series is in store?
 
As to other features, Jet was going every 3-5 minutes throughout.  Super Frying Pan started at 0959 and ended at 1007; the eruption was over 8 feet high at times.  From my arrival Spasm was bubbling, full and overflowing into a full Jelly, and started to drop at around 1030; by 1050 it was empty and water had dropped in Jelly. Twig, interestingly, did not start until 1110, 9 minutes after Fountain stopped.  Then Clepsydra stopped at 1111 and was still off when I left at 1123.
 
Steam was so strong that it was difficult to get a good picture, but I think I have one possible decent one which I'll forward to Dave Monteith to reduce for posting.
 
PS.  Maureen and Jim Holstein saw Morning from a distance beginning at 1413, lasting only 7 minutes.  I assume
one of them will add further details.  I stopped by at 1700, Morning, Morning's Thief and Fountain were all empty and steaming.  Christine stayed and may have more to report.  I called Steve Eide who is on his way and will be with us tomorrow.  I plan to be back there most of the day. Wish us luck!
 
Respectfully submitted,
 
Bill Warnock 		 	   		  
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