#42—Geyser

22 Sep 1984 major—1, d≥4m, h≈3m
28 Sep 1985 major—2, d=45s-3m23s, h≈5m
minor—2, d≈1m10s, h≈1m
14 Oct 1985 major—1, d=1m42s, h≈3m (w/o #42w)
04 Apr 1986 minor—1, d=1m15s, h≈1m
08 Nov 1986 minor—1, d=15s, h≈2m
Observation Summary — #42

This geyser is a long crack with at least nine vents, widening to about 30cm wide at the southern end. These vents are designated with letters, starting with “A” at the southern end. Between Vents “C” and “D” there is a 5cm wide notch in the western rim. This spring is definitely connected with #42w.

When not active, and until the operation of Well 28-32 began, the water level in this spring sat about 1cm below overflow, with one or more of the vents functioning as perpetual spouters. Most times Vent “C” was active, but at times could be Vent “D” or Vent “B”. Other times there would be an exchange of function between these vents every few minutes. Because of this, the flow of water within the crack between vents would reverse directions. This activity caused a noticeable increase in the deposition of spiny sinter around the vents, especially Vent “C”. Unfortunately, the draining caused by Well 28-32 and the powerplant allowed these formations to crumble and disappear within a year.

The major activity took place at the southern end, in Vents “A”, “B” and “C”. Vent “B” is located at the neck where the crack narrows from 30cm to about 5cm. This vent played higher than the others, with Vent ÒAÓ only slightly smaller. The height of play diminished the farther north the vent, but even the northernmost could attain about 15cm from a small opening about 2cm in diameter.

The first known eruption of #42w was accompanied by an eruption of #42. Several other series of eruptions of #42w were observed that autumn, but not from the beginning, and #42 was not observed at those times. It was discovered that if particular attention was paid to #42 when attempting to induce #42w, then a concerted eruption could be produced. On one occasion only #42 erupted.

Occasionally the subsequent eruptions of #42w were accompanied by minor eruptions from a drained vent. In these cases the eruption began well after #42w began, and perhaps could even be considered a foamy steam phase-type eruption.

#42w—Geyser

22 Sep 1984 major—1, d≥4m, h≈5m
minor-3, d≈2-2m30s, h≈5m, int=18m-31m
21 Sep 1985 major—3, d=1m30s-3m, h-9-12m
28 Sep 1985 major—2, d=30s-45s, h≈4-5m
minor—2, d=30s-1m30s, h≈6m,int=25m-50m
19 Oct 1985 major—1, d=4m49s, h≈10m
30 Nov 1985 major—2, d=30s-2m08s, h≈3-6m
23 Feb 1986 major—3, d=38s-2m01s, h≈5-10m
04 Apr 1986 major—3, d=32s-1m50s, h≈1-3m
19 Apr 1986 major—2, d=32s-2m27s, h≈4-5m
04 Jun 1986 major—2, d=18s-24s, h≈3-4m
20 Sep 1986 major—3, d=37s-3m03s, h≈6-9m
minor—1, d=1m52s, h≈6m, int=33m
25 Oct 1986 major—3, d=1m03s-3m21s, h≈5-10m
minor—1, d=10s, h=1/2m, int=18m
08 Nov 1986 major—2, d=59s-1m36s, h≈6m-9m
minor—1, d=1m36s, h≈8m, int=29m
22 Nov 1986 major—2, d=1m33s-1m47s, h-6-8m
10 Jan 1987 major—1, d=1m45s, h≈12m
minor-2, d=1m28s-2m11s, h≈5-8m, int=3-17m
21 Feb 1987 major—1, d=1m50s, h≈8m
minor—3, d=1m16s-1m56s, h≈4-5m, int=3m-16m
02 May 1987 major—2, d=1m14s-3m37s, h≈1-6m
minor—1, d=44s, h≈6m, int=16m
Observation Summary — #42w

The vent of #42w is a circular opening about 40cm in diameter at least four meters deep. It is usually filled with boiling water about 7.5cm below the rim. This is the tallest geyser observed at Steamboat Springs, with some eruptions at least 12m high. Yellowstone excluded, it may also be the tallest geyser in the Americas [Bryan 1986].

The first known eruption of this geyser took place on 22 September 1984, although there were reports of a new geyser earlier that month. “We were prepared to leave [the Main Terrace] when we saw not one, but two columns of water suddenly erupt. It was a very impressive sight: one column was vertical and over 25 feet [8 meters] high, the remaining water was ejected from a fissure a few feet away from the first water column. This water was almost an unbroken sheet about 15 feet [4.5 meters] long and ranged in height from less than 2 feet [60cm] to over 10 feet [3 meters] at the southern end. We raced to the geysers, and arrived before they had finished.

“We waited, and only 20 minutes later the single water column erupted again, this time higher than the first. It was a solo performance; the nearby fissure remained silent.”[Strasser and Strasser 1989].

A number of series of eruptions were witnessed over the next few months, but never a full series from beginning to end. “Every time we visited the terrace we saw activity. We can conclude that a cycle was at least several hours long, and the interval between cycles was at least a few, but less than twelve, hours long. Sometime in November 1984 #42w became dormant. As far as we can tell, these were the only natural eruptions that have occurred.”[Strasser and Strasser 1989].

With the approval of the Bureau of Land Management, members of GOSA have attempted to induce some hot springs in order to facilitate their cleaning. Over the years, several different techniques of inducing have been tried in order to see which method worked best. Beginning in July 1985, several attempts to induce #42w with granular soap, lye soap and PhotoFlo™ were tried, and none were successful. The first induced eruption on 21 September 1985 was by a combination of soap and lowering of the water level with a hand pump. It was later found that pumping air into the vent at depth, or dry ice also work well. The best method was a combination of liquid soap and dry ice.

#42w has been a popular place for debris. Most eruptions would eject a variety of trash: cans, bottles, a toothpaste tube, a shotgun shell, coins and many rocks. Once someone went to a considerable effort by stuffing a number of vents (including #8, #10, #12, #13 as well as #42 and #42w) with chunks of grass and sod removed from the terrace. Inducing #42w caused one of the largest eruptions seen, with brown water and lumps of grass ejected to over 12 meters high. Afterwards, about 50kg of grass clods, a pile almost a meter high, was cleaned out of the drained vents of #42.

The eruption itself consisted of a continuous jetting of water. Maximum height was reached in about 15 seconds. The water column stayed at this height for a while. Depending on the length of the eruption, this could have been for several minutes. Then the water column began to slowly drop. At times, it seemed that #42w would tap a second reservoir, and quickly climb back up to maximum height. In any event, the end of the eruption was not usually abrupt, but instead, the water column slowly dropped, sometimes staying about 1/2m high for twenty to thirty seconds before finally quitting. Even during these endings there was a considerable amount of water discharged.

After a major eruption, there could be a series of minor eruptions, about five to thirty minutes apart. At times these minor eruptions could be just as tall and just as powerful as the major eruptions.

After the conclusion of the last eruption of a series, #42w and #42 would begin to refill. This could take several hours, but once the water level reached a point about 30cm down from the rim, an attempt at a second inducement was often successful.

#100—Non-flowing spring

A small vent about 56cm x 30cm. Boiling water was observed about 1m down during the winter of 1985-1986.

#101—Geyser

This is a shallow pool about 1 meter by 3/4 meters. The vent itself is under the rim on the west edge and about 5cm x 8cm. The surrounding area slopes gradually to the east.

It was first observed in June 1985 when it was partly filled and bubbling. Over a period of several hours the level would rise and fall, but never enough to overflow.

On 22 November 1986, it was first observed in eruption. This activity consisted of splashing in the pool over the vent that occasionally reached 10cm.

On 21 February 1987, it was observed to overflow for about an hour.

#102—Geyser

The total opening is about 7.3m long, with most of the activity coming from a 4' section near the center. There was never any discharge observed from this spring.

This spring was first observed on 30 November 1985, along with #39 and #41s. At that time is was erupting continuously to about 1/2m.

By 28 December 1985, most of the activity had ceased, although the vent was noisy, and occasional droplets were thrown from the vent.

#103—Intermittent Spring

This small spring was first observed on 08 February 1986. A small triangular opening, from 25cm to 38cm on each side, it is located on the crack that includes #36ne.

By 22 March 1986, the spring was overflowing steadily. This activity immediately diminished at the same time as tests were being conducted with Well 28-32.

#104—Geyser (?)

First observed on 08 February 1986, this spring consisted of a pair of vents about 8cm in diameters at the ends of a 61cm x 1.52m widening of the crack running through #36ne. At first water was observed bubbling in the bottom of each vent. By 22 March 1986, the vents had enlarged, with evidence of fresh sinter around the outer vent rim.

This activity immediately diminished at the same time as tests were being conducted with Well 28-32.

#105—Geyser

Located at a forking of the fissure immediately between those of #36 and #36ne, this area began to show activity at the same time as the activity in #36ne increased. By 22 March 1986, this spring was splashing as much as 1 meter high.

As with #104, this activity immediately diminished at the same time the tests were being conducted with Well 28-32.

#106—Flowing Spring

This spring was first observed in the spring of 1985. It is a narrow crack about 2cm across and about 3 meters long. A considerable amount of water flowed from this spring, forming a large algae mat over a number of springs, including #17s, #23, #23n and #113. This flow of water into these springs may have suppressed geyser activity in #23n and #113.

The overflow ceased around January 1986, although water could be observed in the vent until March 1986. After that, only occasional wisps of steam were observed.

#109—Intermittent Spring (Geyser?)

A small pair of vents Å8cm x 23cm and 1m apart in the crack on which #36ne is found, located midway between #104 and #103, first noted on 08 February 1986. By 22 March 1986, the area surrounding the vents had slumped, forming a rim around the vents that was about 2m long. There was also evidence of recent overflow.

#111

This is a small crack just north of #105 that was first observed steaming on 22 March 1986, when new activity was observed in several other fissures and opening in the immediate vicinity.

#112—Flowing spring

This spring consists of a pair of openings at the top of the slope to the east of #6. When active in 1984, the overflow helped create a thick algae mat down the slope. The runoff itself ran around #6, and joined its runoff. This spring ceased flow during the winter of 1984-1985.

#113—Geyser

A pair of small, ragged openings south of #23n, with which it is connected. The height of eruption was at most 10cm.

Nevada Thermal #1—Artificial Geyser

This uncapped well lies due east of Main Terrace across from U.S. 395. An elbow pipe at the top prevents the play from being vertical, instead causing the water to fan out over a concrete enclosure. The eruptions would occur every few minutes, and only last for a few seconds. At times, water could be sprayed as much as 5m from the pipe. In response to the activity at Well 28-32, this well eventually ceased erupting. There were occasional puffs of steam that may have indicated eruptions at depth.