[Geysers] Dwarfs

[Whittlesey, Lee]

What's the big deal with naming these? Nothing about these in particular (I
happen to like the name Dwarf), but there is a consideration with naming in
general. Potential duplication is generally a problem (although not here),
because people tend to pick names that have already been used. That causes
headaches for those of us who try to keep track of such names. I've written
about these kinds of problems and what I believe the rules are (and given
suggestions for that they should be---but those are only one man's opinion)
in the Introduction to Wonderland Nomenclature.

As for the "permanency thing," Udo is right that sorting that out can be
difficult. My general rule has been that if it is a spring in an acid area,
beware of attaching a name because the area is likely to change. In
alkaline areas, there often is more stability so giving a name seems less
fraught with problems due to change. In mixed areas like Norris, it's
sometimes a toss-up and thus difficult for all of us. No matter what
"rules" one may come up with, someone can point to an exception or a
problem.

But, hey, that's part of the fun of YNP thermals.

Lee Whittlesey

On Tue, Dec 16, 2014 at 8:24 AM, <TSBryan at aol.com> wrote:
>
>  It was following the trip to Kamchatka, where a cluster of small geysers
> near Velikan were called "The Dwarfs" by Vitalii Nikolayenko, that I boldly
> applied that term as a general name for this cluster of small erupting
> vents. Given that Geyser Hill also boasts Midget and Pygmy plus other small
> things like Cub and "Kitten," I think the name is fitting. Note, though,
> that in my book I show that name and any more specific name within the
> group within quotes.
>
> That said, I wholeheartedly agree with Micah and Lee that no additional
> naming should be done within that cluster.
>
> Scott Bryan
>
>  In a message dated 12/15/2014 5:55:21 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
> lee_whittlesey at nps.gov writes:
>
> I agree completely with Micah Kipple about the naming of features that are
> likely to disappear. Let's wait until there is some semblance of permanency
> or at least long-term existence.
>
> Lee Whittlesey
>
> On Fri, Dec 12, 2014 at 1:36 PM, Micah Kipple <godsfireworks at yahoo.com>
> wrote:
>>
>>  It has been my understanding in my relatively few years of gazing that
>> the naming of the "Dwarfs" has been avoided simply due to the amount of
>> changing activity in the area. Vents break out and get re-sintered over
>> every year. While the current "Dwarf" erupting 90% of the time has shown
>> that it's definitely more "stable" than the other vents in the complex. I
>> would not put my chips down as to whether that would remain the case, the
>> same goes for the Dwarf seen erupting near the boardwalk. Thus I agree that
>> we should refrain from naming individual vents when they could be gone
>> within a year.
>>
>> Just my thoughts on the matter
>>
>>  Micah Kipple
>> Enjoy the Little Things!
>>
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