[Geysers] Opening weekend, plus one - Norris notes

[MA Bellingham]

Greeting Gazers -  I was unable to go in on opening day, and between the weather and UGB trail closures, I didn't miss much!  The next two days were beautiful spring weather!!  Without a real grip on Fountain (and no smarty phone), and not wanting to see Grand from my car, I only went as far as Norris on opening weekend's Sat. and Sunday.  I also made my annual opening weekend pilgrimage to Canyon to see the ice cone at the Lower Falls! 

If you follow the YVO graphs you will know that there has not been a Whirligig eruption since Feb. 6. 
 
Also per the YVO site, at mid-day on April 8th, something changed at Constant, and now that myself and several gazers have been there in person we can state that Constant is cycling as usual, but not erupting, which corroborates the apparent lack of eruptions as seen on the YVO site. 

Arsenic is active with durations seen at 13-15 minutes.  I haven't seen Fireball yet, but sometimes that takes a few visits. 

Yellow Funnel is 2/3rd full (over the ledge on the NW side) and heavily splashing.  Pearl is nearly dried up.  Last fall I had occasion to lean out onto the platform to pick up some litter and felt that the ground by Pearl was quite warm.  Across the boardwalk from Pearl, the so called "Sagebrush Lizard" area is dry and not even puffing.  The thing that is Orby, or near Orby is active. 

Opening weekend, Vixen appeared much as it was last fall prior to the disturbance/shutdown, with eruptions at about 30 minutes and durations from 1-5 minutes.  I had occasion to stop at Norris enroute to a conference in Idaho Falls last Friday (25th) and found the intervals had shortened by 10 minutes, and witnessed a major of greater than 17 minutes, and another of 8 minutes.  Upon my return from Idaho, Sunday afternoon's intervals seemed to have gone back to 30-ish minutes.  (Disclaimer- Both visits were only about 2 hours.)

Friday, to get out of the blustery winds, I took shelter at Dog Leg and thought I would get times on the cycles there between Vixen eruptions.  Instead of the normal fill/drain, I observed (with apologies to the Sawmill group...) a "Dog Leg Deep Drain" with some amazing gurgles, hisses and noise at depth.  I was intent on watching the refill when I heard Vixen splashing, which turned out to be the 17+ minute major, and wind direction was bad so I went back to Vixen to be able to see the end.  Corporal/Dog Leg appeared 'normal' again on my Sunday return. 

Whether or not this coincides with Polly's brother's observations of good concerted minors at Steamboat is anyone's guess. But the long durations, shorter intervals and explosive starts at Vixen on Friday 25th lead me to call it a mini disturbance, very short lived.  William B was at Norris on Wednesday the 23rd and the change had not kicked in at that time.  Something happened for one or two days, for sure!  Gotta love change at Norris! 

Sunday I did also see a 2 burst Grand in a snowstorm to start my UGB year now that the UGB trails are open.  The carcass near Aurum is a pile of bones and skin, but still quite aromatic.

I have added William's Vixen times to GT.   To see all Vixen times entered since opening day, see: 
http://www.geysertimes.org/getGeyserInfo.php?geyserID=77&n=65

It was a long winter in these parts, and I look forward to sunny days with geyser friends, I hope to see many of you soon... hopefully without mittens and hats with ear flaps! 

See you on the boardwalk,
MA

M.A. Bellingham
mabdepot at msn.com

 		 	   		  
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