Figured with Rift having erupted, Grand might have some longer intervals for a while. So today was the day to take care of various domestic tasks and a trip to West Yellowstone for supplies.
But first, went to Norris to see that we weren't missing much. The runoff channel of the south vent is completely filled at the bridge. It appears a section of the wall collapsed causing much debris to be washed down.
Did a walk around the Back Basin, where saw an eruption of Orby and the start of Vixen. When the duration passed seven minutes, decided to move on. It was still erupting several minutes later.
Got back in time to head out for Grand. Arrived just before the six hour mark, waited on Turban eruption interval, and got to see the One Burst Grand Eruption. Also saw another eruption of Tilt on the way back.
2023-Aug-10:15:41:19 T1Q 15:40:20 Turban -0m59s 15:40:43 Vent Ovfl -0m36s 15:41:19 Grand B1 --- d=10m06s 15:43:53 Vent 2m34s 15:51:26 P1 10m06s 15:52:29 V&T Quit 11m09s ΣD=10m06s * * * * * 15:21:32 d=4m47s Turban: 18m47s
It really does seem like Grand erupts on the first Turban eruption after the six hour mark, or it has a Turban Interval Delay and then erupts a couple of hours later.
Back in the cabin, I was working on the computer when I noticed something scurrying outside the door beside my truck. It was a strange looking ground squirrel. Not really an albino, as its markings were sort of visible, but its coloring was washed out. Probably got caught in an eruption of that peroxide geyser across the river.
The next Grand eruption was going to be after dark. Went out a little early since Castle was also predicted for that time. From Grand we caught the start of the Castle minor eruption, which lasted about six minutes.
Grand cooperated nicely, starting on the first Turban eruption after the six hour mark. Just after the nine minute mark, the first burst had a false pause, followed by about ten seconds of individual jets to about 20m. (Grand was lit up, so it was easy to see.) The second burst was a bit unexpected, but nice to see that a second burst can occur with longer first bursts.
2023-Aug-10:21:55:11 G2Q 21:55:11 Grand B1 --- d=9m24s 21:58:54 Vent 3m43s 22:04:20 FP 22:04:35 P1 9m24s d=0m51s 22:05:26 B2 10m15s d=0m37s 22:06:03 P2 10m52s 22:06:46 V&T Quit 11m35s ΣB=10m01s ΣD=10m52s * * * * * 21:15:30 21:33:58 Int: 18m28s d=4m39s Grand: 21m13s
The sky was as clear as I can remember. Even from the cabin area, in an area not directly illuminated by the streetlights, it was possible to see the bright Milky Way arching across the sky.