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to Point of Interest Road
Signs! A
collection of photos of road and trail signs. Click
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Yellowstone
National Park - Steamboat Geyser
Location
of sign - the Norris Geyser Basin trail in Yellowstone National Park
Photo
taken June 2008
Close-up
view of sign
Wide
view of sign
Text
of sign:
Steamboat
Geyser
Learning
to Love the Unpredictable
When
Steamboat Geyser erupts it can rocket a column of scalding water 90-120
meters into the air - two to three times the
average
height of Old Faithful. Steam roars for twenty-four hours after.
Odds are against your witnessing this drama, however,
since
Steamboat's major eruptions occur 4 days to 50 years apart. In
Yellowstone's geyser basins, unpredictability is the patter.
Old
Faithful's relatively predictable intervals are the exception. An
earthquake could disrupt Old Faithful's timetable, or a shift in
subterranean
plumbing could allow Steamboat more frequent eruptions.
Eruption
Indicators
Though
order and symmetry in nature can be reassuring, true geyser gazers appreciate
surprise and suspense. Watch the larger,
upslope
vent for massive, frequent bursts to heights of at least 5-10 meters,
accompanied by heavy runoff - Steamboat's only
known
eruption indicators.
When
Steamboat Geyser has a major eruption, the deep pool of nearby Cistern Spring
drains almost completely. Gradually within
a
day or two after Steamboat's eruption Cistern begins to refill.
Graphics
on the sign
In addition
to the text there is a picture of Cistern Spring and an eruption of Steamboat
Geyser.
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