31
YELLOWSTONE EXPEDITION OF 1870
from 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- Go
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