We just received information this morning about Steamboat Geyser erupting in major phase. Here is what I've been able to "cobble" together so far. I seem to recall that Steamboat's last eruption was in October of 1991.Bob Lindstrom, NPS Financial Services Administrative Technician, was traveling this morning (May 2, 2000) from West Yellowstone to his job at Mammoth Hot Springs at about 6:45 a.m. when he spotted a very tall vapor column from Elk Park. Suspecting a major phase eruption of Steamboat Geyser, he stopped at the Norris parking area and walked down to Steamboat noting a very heavy mist for most of the way. He noted the huge vapor plume and stated that the thing was "roaring like a jet engine" from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. ("I watched it for about an hour."). During this time he saw no real water column; only intense water droplets, so many that it seemed to be raining all over the vicinity.
Lindstrom says there were two other persons there at 7 a.m., park visitors who were sleeping in their pickup camper (truck) at the Norris parking area. They stated to him that they were abruptly awakened about 5 a.m. by what they thought was an earthquake. Frightened, they drove south to Elk Park. Looking back east, they saw the huge vapor plume and decided it was the culprit, so they returned to the Norris parking area.
Lindstrom says they told him that they saw the big water column and took photos of it. They promised to send him copies of the photos (he gave them his name and work address), and he says they should be getting back to him pretty soon with the photos. The two park visitors appear to have stayed the entire time (5 a.m. to at least 7 a.m.) at Steamboat.
Thanks, Bob, for letting us all know and for having the foresight to ask for copies of the photos.
Steamboat Geyser rarely erupts in major phase. Intervals vary from three days to fifty years (it was dormant 1911-1961). Heights in major phase can approach 400 feet. It is considered the world's tallest geyser. Although geyser experts have searched in vain for something with which to predict it (see Bill Pulliam's article "The One Hundred Meter Sput" for example), it remains unpredictable. The water-phase duration is generally only three minutes to twenty minutes, but a powerful steam phase often continues after the cessation of the water for 12 hours or more.
Lee Whittlesey
Archivist
National Park Service
