Steamboat Geyser, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Norris Geyser Basin is filled with a variety of different geysers in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Norris Basin is located in the northwest of the national park. It is best reached from the west entrance, but any entrance will get visitors there. Norris Basin is near Norris Village and the Museum of the National Park Ranger at the beginning of the upper loop. The road can be closed in winter to reach the basin.

Norris Geyser Basin has numerous geysers including Steamboat Geyser. It is the world's tallest geyser at the moment. When it erupts it will reach over 300 feet in the air. Eruptions can last from three minutes to 40 minutes depending on the time of year. When there is more water running through the underground plumbing due to spring runoff or rain water the geyser is taller and will last for a longer period of time. The pressure build up will also help. Unfortunately this geyser does not have a predictable cycle. There have been a variety of eruptions over the years in which some have lasted four days and others a few minutes.

The geyser did not have any eruptions between 1911 and 1961. There were some minor eruptions between 10 and 15 feet between 1961 and 1991. When an eruption of water does occur 48 hours of steam will occur after it. Cistern Spring which is near the geyser will actually empty completely as the water is rerouted to the major eruption. This emptiness of the spring does not occur each time, but during the tallest eruptions.

Waimangu Geyser in New Zealand was the tallest geyser in the world reaching 1600 feet, but it has been dormant since 1904, which is why the Yellowstone geyser has the world's largest title. Other hot springs in Yellowstone used to be taller; however, like Waimangu these geysers have ceased their theatrics. Visitors who travel to Steamboat Geyser will be at 7,598 feet elevation. The temperature of the geyser is generally 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

Eight eruptions have occurred since 1991. The last major eruption was on May 23 2005. The geyser has two vents that are five miles apart, which have steam and water coming out of both. Before visitors can reach Steamboat Geyser they must walk along Norris Geyser Basin trail. The stop before this amazing natural wonder is Emerald Spring.

Emerald Spring is so named due to its mineral presence. It will absorb all sunlight but blue, making it reflect that color back. The pool is 27 feet deep with yellow sulfur adding to the blue making it blue. The hot water underground will dissolve the sulfur. After Steamboat Geyser is when visitors will reach Cistern Spring.

The spring has a deposit of ?inch of sinter each year. This means it has quite a build of sinter around the edge. Since 1965 the spring has been feeding the forests with silica helping them grow. This can throw off the heat by decreasing thermal activity in certain areas.