Photographing Steamboat Geyser in 2018/NPS, Jacob W. Frank
One of the 2018 highlights literally spewing from the National Park System was the awakening of Steamboat Geyser in Yellowstone National Park. Typically known to go many years without erupting, Steamboat erupted more than two dozen times this year, notching its 30th eruption on December 8 at 1:07 a.m. local time.
Steamboat is the world's largest active geyser, with a soaring 300-to-400-foot jet of hot water accompanying some of its most vociferous eruptions. It was given its name by members of the 1878 Hayden expedition for its roaring sound thought similar to that of "an old style paddle wheel steamboat."
In his Yellowstone Place Names, park historian Lee H. Whittlesey said history shows that Steamboat can be extremely unpredictable. And his research shows that this year's eruptions really aren't unusual.
P.W. Norris claimed that the geyser "burst forth" on August 11, 1878, and that it had two types of eruptions: one 30 feet high every half hour and one 100 feet high every 6 to 7 days. A.C. Peale also thought in 1878 that the geyser was newly formed and named it "Steamboat Vent."
Steamboat Geyser had numerous powerful eruptions in 1881 to at least 100 feet. It is likely that these "heavy" eruptions continued during 1882 and 1883, combining with Steamboat's "normal" smaller eruptions from 5 to 30 feet high. The geyser also had large (major phase) eruptions in 1888, 1889 (probable), 1890, 1891, 1892 (probable), 1894, 1902, and 1911. These eruptions are estimated to have attained heights of from 100 to 350 feet. After 1911, Steamboat did not erupt again in major phase for 50 years.
The Dec. 8 eruption, the 30th since March 15, 2018, pushed Steamboat past the previous annual record of 29 documented eruptions, set in 1964.
“The heightened activity at Steamboat this year is uncommon but not unprecedented. We have seen similar activity twice previously; once in the early 1960s, and again in the early 1980s. Conversely, the world’s tallest active geyser has also exhibited years of quiescence, or no major eruptions, with the longest being the 50-year period between 1911 and 1961,” said Jeff Hungerford, Yellowstone’s park geologist. “We’ll continue to monitor this extraordinary geyser.”
For those who didn't see Steamboat erupt in person this year, and those who want to relive that experience, the Yellowstone staff put together this short video:
Some additional Steamboat articles from the Traveler:
What Is Steamboat Geyser In Yellowstone National Park Up To? Possibly Nothing.
Steamboat Geyser Erupts, Again, At Yellowstone National Park
Comments
It erupted again on Christmas Day