A Gallery of Geyser Field Formations (Part I)
 A
Cone-Type Geyser - Cone-type geysers have a structure formed
by geyserite above or just below the surface. The structure acts
as a nozzle so the water and steam shoot into the air as a very
forceful column. The larger the cone of a geyser, the more likely
it has been around for a long time. This is a picture of White Dome
Geyser along Firehole Lake Drive in Yellowstone National Park. White
Dome Geyser shoots a stream of water in the air thirty feet high
for 15 to 30 minutes. Intervals between eruptions vary from 10 minutes
to 3 hours. |
 A
Fountain-Type Geyser - Fountain geysers have a pool on the surface
that fills before or while the geysers erupt. Because of this, these
geysers erupt in bursts throwing spray all around instead of straight
up. This is a picture of Echinus Geyser in the Norris Geyser Basin
at Yellowstone National Park. Because of its location near a hillside,
it is easy for observers to look down and watch the geysers pool slowly
fill up, then overflow as the eruption approaches. Echinus is the
largest acid-water geyser known and produces water almost as acidic
as vinegar. It's eruptions vary from 1 to 4 hours. Echinus is named
for the deposits surrounding it which look like sea urchins. |
 Dormant
Hot Spring Cone - This 37-foot tall formation marks the location
of a hot spring (and possible geyser) that stayed in one location
for a long time. Over the years the geyserite built this tower-like
structure. What is most unusual about it is that the spring did not
seal itself closed as it built the cone. The formation was named Liberty
Cap by the Hayden Survey team that visited Yellowstone in 1871 referring
the peaked caps worn during the French Revolution. Liberty Cap is
located in the Mammoth Hot Springs section of the park. |
 Fishing
Cone - This hot spring grew its geyserite cone in a lake. Early
explorers came back to civilization telling how it was possible to
catch a fish, then cook it by dropping it into a lakeside boiling
hot spring without removing the fish from the line. While such antics
are not allowed anymore, this hot spring retains the name. Fishing
Cone is located at Yellowstone's West Thumb Geyser Basin. |
A Gallery of Geyser Field Formations Part II
Copyright Lee Crystal 2001. All Rights Reserved.