Old Faithful: A Splendid Cone Shaped Geothermal Geyser

A cone geyser called Old Faithful is located in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, United States. This was the first geyser to name the park in 1870. Old Faithful is a very predictable geothermal geyser, as it erupted every 44 to 125 minutes. The members of the Washburn-Langford-Doane expedition discover this geyser in 1870. It spouted at regular intervals. The boiling water being thrown from 90 to 125 feet at discharge lasted 15 to 20 minutes. So, they give the name to Old Faithful.  

Earlier it was used as a laundry place. Garments were placed and thoroughly washed when they erupted. This geyser is the most popular of the nearly 500 geysers in Yellowstone National Park. It is normally erupting a column of steam and super hot water expanding steam bubbles and pushing the water overhead through the fissures in the rock until they overflow from the geyser.

This geyser is an example of a cone geyser visible on Earth’s surface as mounds of porous deposits of siliceous sinter. The historic Old Faithful Inn (1903/04) is one of the country’s great national park lodges; Old Faithful Lodge (1918/28) and other vintage buildings are also in the vicinity.

When does Old Faithful Erupt?

So, far more than 1,000,000 eruptions have been recorded. The nearby Steamboat is the tallest and larger than the Old Faithful geyser. The old Faithful reliability can be attributed to the fact that it is not connected to any other thermal features of the Upper Geyser Basin. The average height of an eruption is 145 to 150 feet with intervals between 60 and 120 minutes. In the 1930s, the eruption takes place for 66 minutes but gradually increased the time to 90 minutes. The result of increasing in time could be due to earthquakes affecting subterranean water levels.

The geyser mathematical eruption is much more predictable in terms of its next eruption. The temperature measurement at a depth is 118 °C is similar to the measure in the 1940s. However, the steam temperature has been measured by more than 350 °F. Scientists estimate 3,700 to 8,400 gallons of water are expelled during an eruption. But it mainly depends on the duration of the eruption.

The geyser inspired early developers to build special viewing areas, lodging, and concessions for visitors to watch eruptions. The natural geologic processes of Old Faith continue to provide enjoyment to visitors to see this natural system. The Visitor Education Center provides visitors with an opportunity to learn about the geology, hydrothermal properties, and scientific study of the geyser and other hydrothermal features in the park. At just one mile, (3 minute’s drive) you can visit another mesmerizing Morning Glory Pool fairly level paved path and make stops to see geysers. Another fantastic place for family and friends. 

Read More 

• The Astonishing Strokkur Fountain Geyser

• The Fly Geyser of Nevada, USA

• El Tatio – Third Largest Geyser Field in the World

• The Unusual Cold Geysers of Madagascar

• Valley of Geysers, A Natural Wonder in Kamchatka Russia

Source: – Britannica / Wikipedia