If you went to see Echinus this past year, what you probably saw looked something like the above photo. In 1999, Echinus geyser became extremely erratic and unfaithful for the longest recorded strech of time ever. The streak still continues to this day.
Before problems arose, the Echinus would erupt every 50 to 90 minutes. After an eruption the pool would completely or partially drain. Then the pool would refill and be at or near overflow when the next eruption began. The eruption would last for a few minutes (one exceptional one was over 100 minutes) and reach heights of 30 to 80 feet (maybe even a few spectacular 100 footers!). Echinus was infamous as a spot where you could always count on getting a geyser shower!!
Alas, such behavior has gone. The pool will now reach overflow and stay that way for hours before having a weak eruption that might reach 50 feet at best. Why did this happen? No one knows. When and will it go back to its original state? No one knows. It just goes to show you that a geyser that has always been considered a faithful friend is still subject to change. Speaking of faithful friends, it is possible that one day something like this could happen to our pal Old Faithful. Wouldn't that be crazy!!
Oh, and as a somewhat humorous side note: The year before Echinus went haywire, a new boardwalk "superstructure" was put in with several viewing platforms to allow for the large crowds that gather to watch Echinus in the summer. Now it seems that the structure might not be necessary. Yet, it is almost extra-benificial now considering the crowds that can build up in the hours proceeding a "weak" Echinus eruption.
Say a prayer for Echinus!!!
Porkchop Geyser was a very spectacular and interesting geyser. Originally called Dr. Morey's Porkchop, the name was changed to "Porkchop Geyser" in the 1980's because it was thought to be improper to name thermal features after people. (There are exceptions to this rule. One of which is Harding Geyser (named after President Warren G. Harding) which also resides in the Norris Geyser Basin). The name came from the fact that its crater was shaped exactly like a porkchop.
Porkchop went through several phases. It spent most of the park's history as a normal geyser. In its later years, though, it was a perpetual spouter with such powerful force that it could be heard all throughout the Back Basin.
With such a spectacular show of force, it is not surprising that on September 5th, 1989, the pressure built up to a point that an explosion occured sending blocks rock over 200 feet away. It is lucky that no one was nearby and got hurt!!!
Now, what you will find there is and ocasionally boiling pool surrounded by a jumble of rocks.
In the pictures above, you can orient yourself by using the trees in the background. Note the powerful perpetual eruption in the photo on the left (taken three months before the explosion). In the second picture, note the boardwalk that was built to feature the geyser. You can see where the sign used to be for Porkchop by the discoloration on the top rail. It seems to be bad luck for Norris geysers if you build a special new boardwalk to feature them!!
(Note: Some facts and figures obtained from Dave M.'s geyser page)
