New thermal feature Near Old Faithful

I hesitated in publishing this post simply because of all the drama that often surrounds any change seen in Yellowstone. Now that people better understand that Yellowstone actually is a volcano, the news of a new thermal feature of increased activity often brings on the conspiracy theories.

The reality is that new thermal features open up fairly regularly. However, most of them are not very exciting. And, naturally, the news of energy waning in a particular thermal feature is less exciting news. But one of the goals of this blog is to document what is seen (with some caveats – that the information doesn’t add undue extra work for rangers, that it doesn’t encourage misbehavior by visitors, that the thermal features (or wildlife or other park resources) are protected).

GENERAL INFORMATION ON THIS NEW THERMAL FEATURE

That preface in place, a new, very small hole opened up near the parking lot of the Old Faithful Inn. And I’m pleased that the geologists and maintenance in the park are on it already to protect visitors as well as the new vent. I’ve actually been watching this area for a few years now. It’s always supported a nice growth of grass, and the abundant “evidence of bison” (lots of bison poop) shows that there’s a good deal of heat here (bison love the heat). Thermal images shown at the 2013 Thermal Conference at Snow Lodge showed this area as having quite the hot underground pool. Last year, it was actually overflowing water for some time in the grassy area (so cooler water). This may have weakened the “dirt lid” on this “pot of water.”

On 8 Aug 2018, I noticed the cones surrounding the area and went to take a look. A small hole – about the size of a bison hoof –  gently steamed. Naturally, photos were taken.