Old Faithful Geyser – Is it really so faithful?
Location: Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park
GPS Coordinates: N 44 27.635 W 110 49.846
The Upper Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park is home for one of the most famous and faithful geysers in the world. This basin is famous for the fact that nearly one quarter of all worlds’ geysers is located here. Just imagine a territory in one square mile that has 150 geysers. Not only geysers, but also such thermal features like hot springs, boiling springs and fumaroles can be explored in the Upper Geyser Basin.
Old Faithful Geyser is considered to be the key feature of the national park. Old Faithful was named for its regular intervals between eruptions, intervals range from 60 to 110 minutes and last for up to 5 minutes. Witnessing and exploring the geyser is a must-do for every visitor of the park. You even don’t need to hike to see the miracle of eruption, there is a big parking lot and a overlook that opens nice views on the geyser.
The Yellowstone National website explains that Old Faithful geyser erupts more often than any other big geyser in the park, but it’s not the largest one. It is interesting to know that Old Faithful can expel up to 8,400 gallons of water, the temperature of which is 204°F at the vent, and the steam temperature has been measured above 350°F. Its maximum height ranges from 90 to 184 feet.
When underground water collects in one place and is heated by a magma source, a geyser will be formed. Warmed water rises towards the surface. If there is no obstacle for the water on its way, it will come out to the surface in the form of a hot spring. If the way out for the water is imposed, the pressure is increased. When the water is converted into the stream and its’ volume increases up to1.500 times of volume of water, the pressure becomes really intense and that results in an eruption of water and a geyser is formed. The geyser erupts until the pressure decreases to a normal level.
Nowadays, well-maintained boardwalks and paths open fabulous opportunity to explore this unique area with numerous thermal features such as Lone Star Geyser, Geyser Hill, Aurum Geyser, Grand Geyser, Beehive Geyser, Castle Geyser, Crested Pool, Doublet Pool, Giantess Geyser, Grand Geyser, Heart Spring, Liberty Pool, Orange Spring, Plume Geyser, Sawmill Geyser, Spasmodic Geyser, Turban Geyser and many others.
How to get to the trailhead:
From West Thumb:
Take Grand Loop Road and drive 19.8 miles to the west. The parking lot will be on the left.
Photo: Roman Khomlyak
Photo Editing: Juliana Voitsikhovska
Information: Marina Petrova
Pictures taken: 22.06.2016
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.