Steamboat Geyser on September 17, 2018 0936 MT

A Bullard couple, David and Patty Swope,  were in Yellowstone National Park at the Steamboat Geyser when there was a major eruption. Steamboat is the world’s tallest active geyser.  Prior to 2018 there were eruptions but none in comparison to this year. The recorded intervals have ranged from every four days to once every 50 years. The eruptions are unpredictable and Steamboat had erupted approximately 5-6 days prior so they had no expectations of an eruption.  This eruption, on 9/17/18 at 9:36 AM (MT) reportedly discharged water upwards of 300 feet and lasted for more than one hour and 15 minutes. 

 

They stopped at the Norris Geyser Basin around 9:00 MT. Ms. Swope went down the walkway to the observation areas at the base of the geyser. Mr. Swope stayed at the Park Ranger Station. When Ms. Swope got to the base of the geyser she saw minor water eruptions reaching over 6 – 8 feet tall out of two vents with abundant steam.   She noticed several people at both observation platforms who had been waiting for days, reading and watching, hoping to view a major eruption.  She heard people were talking about when the next eruption would be, however they said that no one could predict Steamboat. Only Old Faithful currently has a pattern of erupting. But after seeing Steamboat she realized that Old Faithful’s mannerly eruption could not compare to Steamboat’s double vent explosive eruptions.

 

Mrs. Swope said that she started walking back the .5 mile boardwalk to the park ranger station and was about half way back when she heard people shouting. A ranger was yelling, “Run, go back; this is what you came for….she’s erupting!” She joined many people rushing back down the boardwalk, heard the booming and roaring, and then saw the huge eruption in the distance.  Even though she was somewhat intimidated by perceived dangers, she kept going to get to the observation areas.   Water was surging and then rising up, heaving and bellowing, then falling back into the vents, carrying rocks and debris. This skyward motion was happening again and again. She and all the people there were being covered with mist and water.  People shared their space by moving to let others watch and film.  The crowd was shrieking, cheering and exclaiming!  She captured many videos and photos and after about 30 minutes, moved out to let others forward. 

 

When she got back to the Park Ranger Station to meet Mr. Swope, he exclaimed that he had seen the geyser not far from the Station and it was then that Mrs. Swope realized the enormity and significance of the eruption. What an opportunity and good fortune to view Mother Nature’s demonstration! The Swopes went back to their car and met throngs of cars and people.  They left to let others observe. They then noticed that all the cars in the parking lot were covered with a glistening layer of silica. What an incredible event! This was a once in a lifetime experience!

 

After they left Yellowstone, the hot spring called Ear Spring erupted with water blasting 20 – 30 ft in the air.  Ear Spring was a dormant spring very near Old Faithful in the Upper Geyser basin. Several other springs have also reportedly been more active. Steamboat started erupting every 4 – 6 days starting August 27, 2018; erupted again 9/24/18, and has had 20 eruptions this year. It remains unknown what the future holds for this ever-changing landscape.

 

The news is focused on politics. In her opinion, every newpaper in the country should be carrying this story. “I don’t know if this eruption is just geothermal.  Minor earthquakes happen in the park frequently. I heard that one of these quakes must have opened up an area for more water.” However, National Park literature says that there is no clear correlation between Steamboat’s eruptions and earthquake activity. At any rate, it was and is an amazing event!