In recent years, the Steamboat Geyser has captured the attention of scientists once again after recording several recent eruptions. Although such unusual behavior hadn’t been observed since 2003, its new activity has put it back in the spotlight.
Located in Yellowstone National Park in the United States, Steamboat is known for being the tallest active geyser in the world. This park is home to nearly half of all the geysers on the planet. Geysers form in volcanic areas and have sometimes been explored as an alternative source of clean energy.
According to previous records, Steamboat hasn’t shown this much activity since 2014. For years, it remained low-profile, concealing its ability to shoot water over 100 meters high. However, lately, it has decided to make itself noticed.
A Noticeable Sign
In light of this activity spike, scientists have activated alerts and begun to observe Steamboat’s seismic data more closely.
Experts clarify that this activity doesn’t necessarily imply an imminent volcanic eruption in Yellowstone, which spans the states of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Geologist Jake Lowenstern explained to NPR that “the park hasn’t had a volcanic eruption in 70,000 years,” while “geysers erupt all the time.”
Still, Yellowstone is not just any park. Beneath its surface lies a supervolcano with the potential to cause eruptions up to 100 times more powerful than those of an average volcano. Nevertheless, there is no current indication suggesting a real threat. In fact, Michael Poland, head of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, confirmed to the Washington Post that “there are no signs of an eruption on the way.”
In any case, Steamboat’s activity could be considered a good sign: it indicates that the hydrothermal system still has circulating water. If it were dry, that could mean that magma is dangerously approaching the surface.
How a Geyser Works
Simple in theory, but complex in practice. A geyser erupts when underground water comes into contact with extremely hot rocks. The water heats rapidly, expands, and under pressure, boils explosively (like an uncovered pressure cooker).
In 1904, the Waimangu Geyser in New Zealand set a record of 457 meters. Meanwhile, Steamboat has reached 115 meters, keeping it as the most powerful active geyser in the world.
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