| Comments: | 1-15-89 Visitor report of a major eruption of Steamboat Geyser. Time was after 1100 MST when AF {Norris Ranger} collected Cistern Spring water sample and before 1400 when visitors first noticed roar of the geyser & dirty snow in parking lot. I~~1572 days {September 26 1984} At my arrival at ~1600 geyser was still in noisy steam phase with virtually no water being emitted. Snow pack up slope was dark gray covered by much sand & gravel. Entrance to parking lot near Nodak mounds & pit toilets was a dingy light gray color from fallout of misty thermal clay-rich water. Much of the snow pack up close was pitted with hole 2-5cm in diameter caused by rocks falling from great height. One visitor report was received of some one seeing a 20cm diameter rock flying through the air. Attempted to measure maximum distance of gravel fallout w/ LC but unsuccessful due to soft deep snow thick steam & windy-snowy conditions. Cistern Spring was full quiet but non-discharging at ~1630. |