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GUIDE TO THE NORRIS GEYSER BASIN

NORRIS GEYSER BASIN

The Norris Geyser Basin was named for Philetus W. Norris who served as Yellowstone's second superintendent from 1877 until 1882. Although he did not discover it, his explorations and reports were largely responsible for calling attention to that area.

Norris is considered to be the hottest and most active geyser basin in Yellowstone. Here geysers and hot springs exhibit greater change in activity over a short span of time than elsewhere in the park. It is not unusual for a new hot spring to come into existence literally overnight. The new feature may last for just a few days or perhaps a month or so; upon occasion some have endured for many years.

Because of constant change in the thermal features, the ground here is unstable and hazardous in many locations. Therefore, you are required to stay on designated trails and boardwalks at all times. This not only protects you from possible serious burns but also helps preserve the features as well. Remember also not to throw any objects into thermal features. Debris of any kind in a hot spring or geyser could clog the vent and destroy the feature. Because many scalding hot pools and run-off channels are near trails and boardwalks, pets are not permitted on the trails.

The fact that thermal features change may come as a surprise, but remember that geysers, hot springs and other thermal phenomena are subject to natural stresses just like plant and animal communities. Of course the changes in thermal activity result from a different set of factors than those affecting plants and animals. Can you guess what they might be?

Shifts in the earth's crust result in movements along cracks and fissures in the ground. These tremors usually cause changes in the underground "plumbing systems" of thermal features, thus altering activity patterns. Look for signs of recent activity variations as you walk along the trails, or ask a naturalist if there have been some recent changes.

As you explore, look closely at the often intricate formations around the edges of a few hot pools, geysers and in some thermal runoff channels. You will notice a mineral called sinter or geyserite being deposited like tiny spines. These rather prickly formations result when geyserite is deposited from slightly acid water, a characteristic of most thermal water in the Norris area. This is in contrast to the bead-like structures that result when geyserite forms from slightly alkaline water found in thermal features in the Old Faithful area.

Notice too the variety of colors staining the basins. The refraction of light, mineral deposits and living organisms, algae and bacteria, all add their hues. The assortment of colors reflects variations in water temperature and chemistry.

As you enjoy your walk remember that Norris is a great natural preserve where nature is constantly at work designing and redesigning one of its most unusual displays. We are only visitors here and must not spoil it in any way. It also serves as a great natural research laboratory where scientists from all over the world learn more about geothermal energy. Help us preserve this unique area so that the next generation and those who follow can come and enjoy it in the same grandeur you did.

The Norris Geyser Basin is made up of two or more less separate areas called Porcelain Basin and Back Basin. Both basins are served by trails which begin at the Norris Museum and are shown on this map. The following briefly describes a few features in each.

THERMAL FEATURES IN PORCELAIN BASIN

VALENTINE GEYSER--Located at the base of a large pear-shaped alcove, Valentine is a typical cone type geyser that first erupted on Valentine's Day, 1907. Its activity has varied considerably--being dormant some seasons, erratic during others, yet showing a high degree of regularity at times. During the past several seasons, it has erupted from a minimum of once every two days to a maximum of once a day. An eruption lasts 5-7 minutes and reaches a height of 20-50 feet above the seven foot cone. The eruption is followed by a steam phase lasting an hour.

LEDGE GEYSER--The largest geyser in the Porcelain Basin, changed dramatically after an earthquake that occurred June 30, 1975. In 1974 it had been erupting about twice a day, but after the quake Ledge was dormant for nearly two years. Then during the summer of 1977 it had but two eruptions. Check the prediction board at the museum to see if Ledge Geyser is active this year.

AFRICA GEYSER--named for the spring that preceded it which was roughly the shape of the continent. The spring became a geyser in February of 1971. At first it was intermittent but as time passed the periods between eruptions grew shorter until it became a constant geyser. In 1977 it was always powerful--sometimes emitting a mixture of steam and water; other times just steam.

THE WHIRLIGIGS AND CONSTANT GEYSERS--these three features seem to be interconnected. Constant Geyser, dormant for several years, reactivated in the early '70's and now erupts up to 30 feet once or twice an hour; often prior to an eruption of one of the Whirligigs. In recent years, Big and Little Whirligig have traded active periods. When one is more active, the other is less. Watch for the 15 foot angled plume from Little Whirligig's orange vent or listen to the distinctive chugging produced during Big Whirligig's splashing eruption. As with many geysers, the water level rises in these pools prior to an eruption.

EBONY AND BEAR DEN GEYSERS--are another set of related features. In the '60's Bear Den Geyser first appeared and as it increased in activity, Ebony Geyser became dormant. Today Bear Den Geyser erupts in bursts, arcing up to 40 feet from the den-like vent, four to six times daily. The death of Ebony Geyser may have been hastened by objects thrown into its vent by thoughtless visitors. This debris is cemented into place by the silica deposited from the water, choking off the vent. Minute Geyser in the Back Basin may have suffered a similar fate.

THERMAL FEATURES IN BACK BASIN

EMERALD SPRING--The colors in and around thermal features are often created by several kinds of algae that grow in hot water. However, the deep green color of this spring is a result of a combination of the yellow color from the sulphur lining the edge of the pool with the blue that is refracted from the clear water in the pool. The bowl of this feature is about 27 feet deep and the temperature normally varies between 194 and 200 degrees F.

STEAMBOAT GEYSER--The world's largest geyser, Steamboat has eruptions of more than 300 feet . It was largely dormant for nine years, then startled observers in March 1978 with a full-scale eruption. The water phase lasted approximately 20 minutes, followed by bellowing steam for over 40 hours. This spectacular display inundated the immediate area. At this writing, March 30, 1978, it is not known if Steamboat's eruptions will follow any pattern. Between 1961 and March 1969, it had a total of 103 major eruptions, none of which could be predicted. You can still see the effects of downpouring water on the landscape which killed trees and scoured away soil. The nine-year respite allowed new lodgepole pines to gain a foothold. We hope you are fortunate enough to witness Steamboat Geyser and share in the excitement. Remember--protect camera and eye glass lenses from the spray as it can scratch glass after drying.

CISTERN SPRING--In 1966 this feature changed from a grayish-black color to its present brilliant blue. Concurrent with this the overflow increased killing many trees near the spring. Since then a silica terrace has rapidly built up. When Steamboat had a major eruption the water level in Cistern dropped 4-8 feet, with a corresponding drop in water temperature of around 60 degrees F. This seems to indicate some connection between the two features. Whether or not the increased water output of Cistern has resulted in the decline of Steamboat is still unknown.

TODAY'S GEYSER PREDICTIONS

Text written by George A. Algard, Norris Summer Naturalist 3/74 4/78

BACK BASIN Phillip's Caldron Grey Lakes Green Dragon Spring Yellow Funnel Spring Palpitator Spring Pearl Geyser Vixen Geyser Black Hermit's Caldron Minute Geyser Mt. Holmes visible to the northwest Veteran Geyser Monarch Geyser Crater Emerald Spring Bathtub Spring PORCELAIN BASIN Ebony Geyser Bear Den Geyser Crackling Lake Whale's Mouth Dark Cavern Geyser Arch Steam Vent Cistern Spring NORRIS MUSEUM Steamboat Geyser Valentine Geyser Lodge Geyser Little Whirligig Geyser Sieve Lake Africa Geyser Pinwheel Geyser Echinus Geyser Hurricane Vent Colloidal Pool Congress Pool Ragged Spouter Blue Geyser Feisty Geyser Carnegie Drill Site Parking Porcelain Terrace Springs Nuphar Lake LEGEND trails and boardwalk described thermal features other thermal features roads and parking TO MADISON--16 MILES--26 KM TO MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS--22 MILES--35 KM TO CAMPGROUND-- 1/2 MILE-- 4/5 KM TO CANYON VILLAGE--12 MILES--19 KM

DANGEROUS THERMAL AREA Boiling Water--Thin Crusts Always Stay on Constructed Walkways

Transcriber's Notes

--Silently corrected a few typos.

Mr. Robert wa'n't havin' such a swell time that meal, either. About once in three or four minutes he'd get a chance to say a few words to Miss Hampton, but most of the time he was busy listenin' to Ella May. So was the rest of us, in fact. Not that she was sayin' anything important or specially interestin'. Mainly it's snappy personal anecdotes--about Ella May, or her brother Glenn, or Uncle Wash Lee, the Buell fam'ly butler. Or else she's teasin' Mr. Robert about not rememberin' her better, darin' him to look her square in the eyes, and such little tricks.

Say, she was some whirlwind performer, take it from me. I discovers that everybody was "Honey" to her, even Ferdie. And you should have seen him tint up and glance panicky at Marjorie the first time she put it over on him.

As for Miss Hampton, she appears to be enjoyin' the whole thing. She watches Miss Buell sparkle and roll her eyes, and only smiles sort of amused. For what Ella May is unlimberin' is an attack in force, as a war correspondent would put it--an assault with cavalry, heavy guns, and infantry. And, for all his society experience, Mr. Robert don't seem to know how to meet it. He acts sort of dazed and helpless, now and then glancin' appealin' across to Sister Marjorie, or around at Miss Hampton.

All that evenin' the attack goes on, Ella May workin' the spell overtime, gettin' Mr. Robert to let her read his palm, pinnin' flowers in his buttonhole, and keepin' him cornered; while the rest of us sits around like cheap deadheads that had been let in on passes.

And next mornin', when Mr. Robert makes a desperate stab to duck right after breakfast, only to be captured again and led into the garden, Marjorie finally gets her mad up.

"Really," says she, "this is too absurd! Of course, she always was an outrageous flirt. You should have seen her at boarding school--with the music professor, the principal's brother, the school doctor. Twice they threatened to send her home. But after I've told her that Robert was practically engaged to Miss Hampton--well, it must be stopped, that's all. Ferdie, can't you think of some way?"

"Eh?" says Ferdie. "What? How?"

That's the sort of help he contributes to this council of war Marjorie's called on the side terrace.

And all Vee will do is to chuckle. "It's such, a joke!" says she.

"But it isn't," says Marjorie. "Do you know where Elsa Hampton is at this minute? In the library, reading a magazine--alone! And she and Robert were getting on so nicely, too. Torchy, can't you suggest something?"

A snicker from Vee.

"Hello!" says I, glancin' out towards the entrance-gates. "What sort of a delegation is this?"

A tall, loppy young female in a sagged skirt and a faded pink shirtwaist is driftin' up the driveway, towin' a bow-legged three-year-old boy by one hand and luggin' a speckle-faced baby on her hip.

"Oh!" says Marjorie. "That scamp of a Bob Flynn's Katie again."

Seems Flynn had been one of Mr. Robert's chauffeurs that he'd wished onto Ferdie a year or so back on account of Flynn's bein' married and complainin' he couldn't support his fam'ly in the city. If he could get a place in the country, where the rents wa'n't so high and his old chowder-party friends wa'n't so thick, Flynn thought he might do better. He had steadied down for a while, too, until he took a sudden notion to slope and leave his interestin' fam'ly behind.

"She's coming to ask if we've heard anything of him," goes on Marjorie. "I've a good notion to send her straight to Robert."

"Say," says I, havin' one of my thought-flashes, "wait a minute. We might--do I understand that the flitting hubby's name was Robert?"

Marjorie nods.

"And will you stand for anything I can pull off that might jar Ella May's strangle-hold over there!"

"Anything," says Marjorie.

It was going to be a bit raw, I'll admit; but Marjorie has insisted that it's a desperate case. So, after a short confab with Mrs. Flynn and the kids, they're turned over to me.

"I ain't sure, ma'am," says I, "that young Mr. Ellins can spare the time. He's pretty busy just now. But maybe I can break in long enough to ask him, and if he's heard anything--well, you can be handy. Suppose you wait here at the garden gate. No, leave it open, that way."

I had 'em grouped conspicuous and dramatic; and, with Mrs. Flynn's straw lid tilted on one side, and the youngster whimperin' to be let loose among the flowers, and the baby sound asleep with its mouth open, the picture was more or less pathetic.

At the far end of the garden path was a different sort of scene. Ella May was making Mr. Robert hold one end of a daisy chain she was weavin', and she's prattlin' away kittenish when I edges up, scufflin' my feet warnin' on the gravel. She greets me with a pout. Mr. Robert hangs his head sort of sheepish, but asks hopeful:

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