Horrible Today: Yellowstone's Steamboat Geyser's Powerful Eruption Demonstrates Tremendous Power

Описание: YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK — Steamboat Geyser could have a major eruption in the next few weeks, according to the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory's (YVO) monthly update on Wednesday, Jan. 1. Located in the Norris Geyser Basin, Steamboat Geyser is the world's tallest active geyser. According to the YVO, small eruptions began at Steamboat Geyser in mid-December, "suggesting that a major eruption is possible during the first few weeks of 2025." The YVO confirmed that Steamboat Geyser had only six major eruptions in 2024, the fewest number since the geyser began periodically active in 2018.

According to YVO Scientist in Charge Michael Poland, Steamboat's annual decline in eruptions is likely related to changes in its hot water piping system. Poland said scientists have ruled out earthquake activity, changes in thermal input, and climate conditions as possible causes after measuring the parameters. “Steamboat seems to go through phases of more activity and then less activity (which is also true for many other geysers in Yellowstone),” Poland told Buckrail .

The geyser went through very active phases in the 1960s, early 1980s, and since 2018… So, this really seems to be Steamboat’s personality, and the fact that the number of annual eruptions has decreased over the past few years may mean that the geyser is returning to a dormant state, perhaps with years between eruptions.” Yellowstone National Park (YNP) warns that when Steamboat Geyser erupts, dissolved minerals in its plume can damage glass and paint on vehicles. Its major eruptions can shoot water more than 300 feet.

“Mature lodgepole pines have been snapped by heavy rains, eroded, and then swept away by the geyser’s outflow,” YNP wrote on its website. “The trail at the base of the hill has been blocked by the outflow.” According to YNP, the water phase of a major eruption can last as little as three minutes to more than 40 minutes. Once the water supply is exhausted, the geyser resumes with a powerful steam phase that can last from a few hours to a few days. YNP confirmed that Steamboat can roar so loudly that conversation near the geyser is difficult, and visitors at Norris Campground a mile north have reportedly been awakened by the noise.

YNP also stressed that Steamboat’s small and large eruptions are unpredictable. When Steamboat experiences a major eruption, a powerful jet of water can last anywhere from 3 to 40 minutes. It is followed by a loud, powerful jet of steam that can last for more than 24 hours and reach heights of up to 650 feet into the air. While large eruptions are relatively rare—even during the geyser’s most active periods—small eruptions (between 10 and 15 feet) are more common.


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