Reactivation of Steamboat Geyser

Researchers examine why the world’s tallest geyser reactivated. Steamboat Geyser in Yellowstone National Park’s Norris Geyser Basin erupted on March 15, 2018, after more than 3 years of dormancy. To better understand why the geyser reactivated, Mara Reed, Michael Manga, and colleagues analyzed data from 109 Steamboat eruptions since the reactivation, previous active and dormant periods of Steamboat and nine other Yellowstone geysers, and ground surface thermal emission data from Norris Geyser Basin. The authors also examined trends related to earthquakes, ground deformation, hydrothermal discharge, and regional weather in Yellowstone National Park. Water in Steamboat is stored deeper than in other geysers, resulting in increased energy to power taller eruption plumes. Eruption intervals were shortest in summer and tracked seasonal hydrological cycles. Uplift episodes, increased regional seismicity, and moderately increased radiant temperature in Norris Geyser Basin preceded Steamboat Geyser’s reactivation, possibly suggesting a connection to magmatic activity. However, the basin’s geothermal reservoir temperature did not significantly change, dormant geysers did not reactivate, and no Steamboat eruptions other than the one in 2018 occurred after periods of high seismic activity. The findings suggest that Steamboat’s relationship with magmatic processes remains ambiguous, and internal hydrothermal processes may be responsible for the geyser’s reactivation in 2018, according to the authors.

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Article #20-20943:

“The 2018 reawakening and eruption dynamics of Steamboat Geyser, the world’s tallest active geyser,” by Mara H. Reed et al.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Michael Manga,

University of California,

Berkeley, CA;

tel: 510-643-8532;

e-mail: <

[email protected]

>;

Mara H. Reed,

University of California,

Berkeley, CA;

e-mail: <

[email protected]

>