[Geysers] Dwarfs

[nathandutz at yahoo.com]

Possibly crazy idea here…


Would it be worth crafting the following two lists, and then making them readily accessible/editable for the gazer community online?


The first list would show, alphabetically, every name that has ever been applied to a Yellowstone thermal feature. That way when a gazer is contemplating attaching a name to a new (or newly-deemed-[semi]-permanent) feature, the list could be consulted to ensure that the name has never been used before.


The bulk of the list could be compiled readily (but admittedly with considerable work required), from Wonderland Nomenclature.


It would then need to be updated with whatever names have been applied since publication of WN, and could then be kept up-to-date by the community as new names are added.


It might be necessary to annotate the list with an “Official”/“Semi-Formal”/“Informal” hierarchy, or the like.


The second list could simply be a pull sheet of words or phrases that would make good geyser names but have not yet been used. That way when a feature deserves a good name but the first seventeen suggestions turn out to be on the first list already, the creative types who’ve had time for consideration will already have contributed a collection of possibilities to choose from.



Just a random thought.


--Nathan Dutzmann





Sent from Windows Mail





From: billwarnock at wyellowstone.com
Sent: ‎Wednesday‎, ‎December‎ ‎17‎, ‎2014 ‎10‎:‎25‎ ‎AM
To: Geyser Observation Reports





Hey, Tolkien would have called them Dwarves, and we could then name them Gimli, etc.




-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [Geysers] Dwarfs
From: "Whittlesey, Lee" <lee_whittlesey at nps.gov>
Date: Wed, December 17, 2014 7:50 am
To: Geyser Observation Reports <geysers at lists.wallawalla.edu>


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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