[Geysers] Anenome Geyser Observation Conclusions.

[Micah Kipple]

In my visit to Yellowstone this summer (My first time as a Gazer) I decided to study the small and overlooked Anemone Geyser on geyser hill. I studied this geyser for a total of about 9 hours (Not nearly enough in my opinion) and these are the conclusions I drew of the my observations. 


Anenome Geyser(s) has to modes of Activity, a day mode and a night mode, the time at which the mode changes varies probably with the season. 


The day mode is characterized by more energy in the system as a whole. Little erupts successfully most of the time, with durations of 2-6 minutes (an exceptional one was logged at almost 10.) And Big's activity is regular, with intervals of 4-10 minutes, and durations of around 40 seconds on average. 


When the night mode kicks in, it's almost as if the system loses energy. Little's eruptions are far less frequent, and Big eruptions slow down slightly as well. 


All of my observations on this system were based upon the frequency of concert eruptions between Big and Little. And in my observations, during the night mode there were up to 7 concert eruptions in an hour, during the day mode there are only 1 or 2. All of the activity comes in several different patterns; what I call, "Eruptive sequences". 


Sequence 1 is the most common sequence during the day; this sequence starts with little filling to overflow and having a successful eruption 3-5 minutes in duration before draining. Then the whole system is quiet for 3-10 minutes (note that the average quiet time is 7 minutes). Then big has a successful eruption, drains, and the system has another quiet period before beginning another sequence. 


Sequence 2 is a lot more complicated, and a lot more common in the night mode. It took me a while to figure it out: But it usually starts with Little's pool filling to some height, but having no eruption. this sequence is identified by several (4 is the most I saw) of these "failed eruptions". Now Sequence 2 then can have 2 (3?) possible endings, or sub-sequences. Ending #1: Little fills and has a successful eruption, about 10-30 seconds into this eruption Big will suddenly join in with bursts reaching up to 8 feet, big drains after a normal duration, but little will usually keep going for a few minutes. I have seen little continue for over 15 minutes, then little ends and the sequence is over. 

Ending #2: Big erupts suddenly when little is drained, it's first bursts are usually bigger than average, but then, like normal, die down quickly. After Big ends the sequence ends. 


There may be a 3rd and Even a 4th ending to Sequence 2. But that will take more study and looking through my observations to figure out. And with this geyser, I may come back next summer and find a whole new behavior pattern, we'll see. 


Note* If you are watching Little Anemone. Think of Grand, they have very similar chains of events leading up to an eruption. You will see little's pool fill and overflow (although it can erupt from a partially empty pool), and if you have good vision, you can even see tiny waves reminiscent of Grands on it just before it erupts. 


Please feel free to correct me if there are any others who have seen anything different. I'm just a enthusiastic first timer. 

 
Micah Kipple


Volcanoes are God's Fireworks
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