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Washburn
Report Index
YELLOWSTONE EXPEDITION OF 1870
Page 31
rom its base. It is 12 feet in height, with a solid
base; its sides have a curvelinear slope, tagged edges, and its cavity or
nozzle is 7 feet in diameter. During its quiescent state the boiling water
can be seen in its chambers at a depth of 40 feet, the action of the steam
and water together producing a loud rumbling sound. Near and acting in
concert with it are half a dozen smaller craters from 2 to 8 feet in height
constantly full of water, and boiling violently from 2 to 6 feet into the
air. This great geyser played several times while we were in the valley, on
one occasion throwing constantly for over three hours a stream of water 7
feet in diameter from 90 to 200 feet perpendicularly. While playing it
doubled the size of the Firehole River, running at its maximum about 2,500
inches of water. Two hundred yards below this is a grotto formation, similar
in structure to the turreted spring; this is 20 feet in altitude, 40 feet in
outside diameter, and has side apertures large enough for a man to crawl
into; these lead to cavernous craters on the interior. A large and singular
pillar of stone stands in the middle of the vent. Several of the party
crawled through the interior when it was quiet, but an hour afterward it was
throwing a column of water 6 feet in diameter to the height of 60 feet. Near
it were several large vents in which water boiled to the height of 6 feet
constantly, and large streams of water ran from these down the banks into
the river. Still farther below, and on the opposite bank of the stream, are
two small craters, with apertures two feet each in diameter; these two are
connected, one throwing steam, and the other water, and also alternating
with another small crater below. First the stream would rush from the upper
crater, roaring violently, then this would suddenly cease, to be followed by
a fan-like jet of water rising from the lower crater to the height of over
40 feet, often playing for perhaps two minutes; then this would suddenly
stop flowing, and the steam would rush forth again for a time. Occasionally
the small crater threw a transverse stream, sometimes alternating with
either of the others; and thus they played on for hours, after which all
would subside to a gentle bubbling. All along both banks of the river are
small craters and spouts built up in every conceivable shape; all were
active except the geysers, and each entirely independent of the others.
Several streams of water poured out in cascades from round holes in the
rocky bank of the river, and a number of little geysers played from 6 to 40
feet at intervals.
Opposite camp, on the other side of the river, is a
high ledge of stalagmite, sloping from the base of the mountain down to the
river; numerous small knolls are scattered over its surface. The craters of
boiling springs from 15 to 25 feet in diameter; some of these throw water
the height of 3 and 4 feet. In the summit of this bank of rock is the grand
geyser of the world, a well in the strata 20 by 25 feet in diametric
measurements, the perceptible elevation of the rim being but a few inches,
and when quiet having a visible depth of 100 feet. The edge of the basin is
bounded by a heavy fringe of rock, and stalagmite in solid layers is
deposited by the overflowing waters. When an eruption is about to occur the
basin suddenly fills with boiling water to within a few feet of the surface,
then suddenly, with heavy concussions, immense clouds of steam rise to the
height of 500 feet. The whole great body of water, 20 by 25 feet, ascends in
one gigantic column to the height of 90 feet, and from its apex 5 great jets
shoot up, radiating slightly from each other, to the unparalleled altitude
of 250 feet from the ground. The earth trembles under the descending deluge
from this vast fountain, a thousand hissing sounds are heard in the air;
rainbows encircle the summits of the jets with a halo of celestial glory.
The fall-
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