Whats going on at yellowstone?

Double post

[edit on 5-4-2010 by westcoast]

Well....like I admitted before, I don't watch the video TOO often. I have noticed that it will pan around when there is somethig to be seen. I just haven't seen that many venting all at once, but it could be due to my lack of 'viewing hours'.
[edit on 5-4-2010 by westcoast]

[edit on 5-4-2010 by westcoast]

reply to post by westcoast


The thing that would bother me is if Old Faitful stopped completely...or went into a "constant" state of eruption. In my trips to the park, ive seen that the area in Norris is much more active than the basin where Old Faithful is located. About 100-150 pages back someone posted a youtube link to a steam vent in Norris which is blasting steam constantly at high pressure, and has been doing so for years. If someone who has only been there one time sees this, it may freak him/her out...but as someone whos been to several areas several times, i would pretty much say its still just the norm.Minor fluctuations can be caused by less snow for the season, or less rain...Im pretty sure if the area were to recede into a drought, alot of the geysers would just shut down, or dry up. The only major changes ive noticed in my annual trips over the last 5 years are a shift in activity in Mammoth Hot Springs, which if im not mistaken, is outside of the caldera. I saw this last year, an area i had photographed 3 years earlier which was bursting with color, was now grey and dried up. While at the same time there was a whole new section of the hill now building terraces, bubbling and steaming away.

Out of curiosity, has anyone ever run across information stating that there was some activity PRIOR to a hydrothermal explosion that indicated it was going to happen. Say Porkchop Geyser, or the EXCELSIOR GEYSER, which used to hold Steamboat Geysers title as the largest...unfortunately the last documented eruptions of that one were in the 1880s, so i doubt there was and data leading up to its explosion.

I guess what im trying to say here is that MABYE its NOT earthquake activity that causes the changes. Im sure a big one would, but mabye theres another reason behind the changes in geyser/hot spring activity. As WestCoast says, i would be more concerned to see major changes in this activity than the earthquakes everyone puts so much time into.

reply to post by Hooptie333


So Hooptie, you seem like someone who is well versed in the geysers. The one time I got close to Old Faithful got some pictures, I don't recall the whole area steaming, or more than a couple errupting at once.

Did you look at the live feed? It's hard to compare, I know, because we are at the mercy of the camera operator, but would you mind taking a look? I just don't remember seeing that much activity all at once before. Maybe it's due to the new snow and colder temps?

Actually I was going to ask about that ... new snow. Hasnt it been snowing all day? wouldnt there be more snow on the ground? I am not trying to be an alarmist, truly - I have seen snow exactly 3x in my life (39yrs) and would figure there would be more than what I saw on the webcams.

And yes I realize that is STEAM coming from the geysers

Casing

This is an opinion. Only an opinion. I will not swear to the validity of the following statements. In my bones and gut, I think a big one is due. "Big" being relative and I mean one about 3.3+.

There is something connecting all the recent activity over the last two years. And I don't just me the lunar connection. There is something wild and wonderful happening and even the scientists don't have a clue that it's happening. I got lots of ideas, but I can't fully grasp my own imaginings. It's like having your eyes closed, but knowing your holding on to the tail of a fiery dragon. The Chinese variety, more like a snake. It's curling and moving and we fell the results. Of course I'm not discounting plate tectonics and such. It's just there is an extra element and it's playing a major role. Best I can guess it's in the spreading in the Pacific. A few months back the Austrailian plate was extra energetic. Then starting with the Haiti quake, the Americas started to become the center of the world's attention. Then Chile and now Cal/Mex is lighting up the quake boards. The next location could be the Cascadian Fault along the Jaun de Fuca Plate. I watched a program where the geologist who found petrified trees which led him to the discovery that the last on happen near 1700, said the whole faultline could unzipp all the way up the San Andreas at the same time. That's enough. Well, Redoubt is knocking again. Yellowstone is popping off a few. Something is slithering up and down the spine of the America's.

As I said, that was all speculation and opinion. And I'm allowed to have it and express it.

I believe that increased precipitation over the last week or so is responible for the very steamy conditions. After all, it's the fuel for the geyers. More water for the resorviors and more volume equals more pressure. Last night all along the treeline it was very active. It's still cold in the park, but the sun rays are strengthening and it is causing melt during the warmer days which is increasing ground water as well to increase geysers.

reply to post by Robin Marks


I agree with you on this one Robin. I have been having an increasing feeling as of late. It really started about ten years ago, but it has intensified the past year or so, and especially in the past few months.

I once went on a field trip and collected some of the pretrified wood you talked about. Very cool stuff. To stand in the valleys reading the info signs about how it was all a large lava flow is awsome and you literally feel the power that is still there under your feet and all around.

I started a thread a few weeks ago about I theory I have regarding Washington states speculated magma chamber, and it ties into what you are talking about, I think. I'm not saying the end of the world is coming or anything like that, but that power is intensifying and I think we are in for some interesting times.

[edit on 5-4-2010 by westcoast]

MAP 2.6 2010/04/06 03:32:11 44.604 -111.001 5.0 YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, WYOMING

EDIT: UPGRADED TO 3.0
Date-Time

* Tuesday, April 06, 2010 at 03:32:10 UTC
* Monday, April 05, 2010 at 09:32:10 PM at epicenter

Location 44.604°N, 111.001°W
Depth 5 km (3.1 miles)
Region YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, WYOMING
Distances

* 11 km (7 miles) SE (128°) from West Yellowstone, MT
* 29 km (18 miles) ENE (66°) from Island Park, ID
* 53 km (33 miles) SSW (205°) from Gardiner, MT
* 432 km (269 miles) ENE (73°) from Boise, ID
* 434 km (270 miles) N (9°) from Salt Lake City, UT


earthquake.usgs.gov...

[edit on 5-4-2010 by MoorfNZ]

Me bones were right. I was thinking it wasn't going to happen, I was just thinking it's overdue and maybe the whole swarm would stop suddenly. Just to make me a dumbass.

My question is not whether or not it's a swarm, it's, is it, or more accurately, how is it related to the quakes which started Jan 15th (not 17th)?

We're taking about a critical area. It's on a major fault. It's on the caldera rim. Although not precisely regular, the quakes are plodded like a hiker going up a steep hill. One big lunge at a time after a pause.

I said 3.3+, it was 3.0. That's kinda close. I thought it might be a bit bigger because it seemed a little overdue and I thought that might give it an extra kick. I know it's not in exactly the same spot as the one originating in January, but they are in a position which can suggest that the quakes are migrating away from the caldera.

And although I have no idea of what mechanism would cause solar activity to affect quakes and volcanoes, it's interesting to note that there is a noticable affect going on at the moment. I just went outside and looked around. I saw the northern lights. They been a rare sight over the last few years. Less solar activity gets the blame. It's nice to have them back. At first I thought it was the Milky Way, but then noticed the light streaking in sharp shafts. No really colours yet. But now that I know the sun's painting again, I'll have to watch more closely.

Hey Puterman, you ever make that map of Hudson Bay? Did you know that Hudson's crew took over the ship and set him adrift and he died in the bay he discovered. 400 years ago.

I just went back outside and the shafts of light are becoming much more intense. It's like some is shining spolights in the sky like the blitz over London in WWII. Still no colour. Just white light.

Edit. I had to check the northern lights again. They've become very intense and I can see greens and blues. (Old Faithful webcam had green clouds when the sun went down) At times the it appears as if they are clouds forming instantly and at other times it's streaks. They are travelling directly overhead and reach fairly far south. I'm on the Can/Am border at 45 degrees. If you live anywhere toward the north you may be able to see them. Well enough of that distraction. But some on here think there is a link with solar activity and I am a witness that there is a definate increase at the moment.



[edit on 6-4-2010 by Robin Marks]

reply to post by westcoast


Im going to agree with Robin on that also, as the warmer temps are causing snowmelt, along with the heavy wet variety of snow in the spring. Ive been there in April before, the colors of certain springs and such are much more vibrant than after a short hot summer...probably due to the fact that more water allows features to be a tad larger.

This June i plan on driving out for 2 weeks in the backcountry...to the thermal features rarely seen....stay tuned for pictures!! I may also be going thru this weekend...not sure if i feel like driving up that way yet.

Well this list looks pretty interesting!

MAG UTC DATE-TIME LAT deg LON deg DEPTH km LOCATION
MAP 3.0 2010/04/06 03:32:10 44.599 -111.004 5.0 11 km ( 7 mi) SE of West Yellowstone, MT
MAP 3.0 2010/04/05 14:48:01 44.596 -110.983 5.7 12 km ( 8 mi) SE of West Yellowstone, MT
MAP 1.4 2010/04/05 11:02:00 44.599 -110.998 5.6 11 km ( 7 mi) SE of West Yellowstone, MT
MAP 2.8 2010/04/05 10:38:46 44.601 -110.990 6.8 11 km ( 7 mi) SE of West Yellowstone, MT
MAP 2.0 2010/04/05 10:36:27 44.599 -110.991 5.6 12 km ( 7 mi) SE of West Yellowstone, MT
MAP 1.9 2010/04/05 10:33:42 44.600 -110.991 5.5 11 km ( 7 mi) SE of West Yellowstone, MT
MAP 1.6 2010/04/05 09:29:08 44.596 -110.994 5.7 12 km ( 7 mi) SE of West Yellowstone, MT
MAP 1.2 2010/04/05 05:37:17 44.600 -110.997 5.7 11 km ( 7 mi) SE of West Yellowstone, MT
MAP 1.0 2010/04/05 02:42:46 44.596 -110.996 6.0 11 km ( 7 mi) SE of West Yellowstone, MT
MAP 1.7 2010/04/04 18:34:41 44.594 -110.984 5.8 12 km ( 8 mi) SE of West Yellowstone, MT
MAP 1.6 2010/04/04 15:31:16 44.598 -110.991 7.4 12 km ( 7 mi) SE of West Yellowstone, MT
MAP 1.5 2010/04/04 13:56:53 44.600 -110.993 6.6 11 km ( 7 mi) SE of West Yellowstone, MT
MAP 1.7 2010/04/04 13:51:41 44.595 -110.991 6.4 12 km ( 7 mi) SE of West Yellowstone, MT
MAP 1.6 2010/04/04 12:22:21 44.599 -110.997 6.1 11 km ( 7 mi) SE of West Yellowstone, MT
MAP 1.1 2010/04/04 08:18:47 44.597 -110.994 5.8 11 km ( 7 mi) SE of West Yellowstone, MT
MAP 1.2 2010/04/04 08:16:46 44.599 -110.995 5.9 11 km ( 7 mi) SE of West Yellowstone, MT
MAP 1.5 2010/04/04 07:57:25 44.601 -110.993 6.5 11 km ( 7 mi) SE of West Yellowstone, MT
MAP 1.5 2010/04/04 04:16:59 44.598 -110.987 6.4 12 km ( 7 mi) SE of West Yellowstone, MT
MAP 3.3 2010/04/04 03:15:52 44.599 -110.993 5.4 11 km ( 7 mi) SE of West Yellowstone, MT
MAP 2.4 2010/04/03 00:10:55 44.593 -111.003 0.9 11 km ( 7 mi) SE of West Yellowstone, MT
MAP 2.4 2010/04/03 00:10:55 44.599 -110.996 6.6 11 km ( 7 mi) SE of West Yellowstone, MT

Wow. So Yellowstone went completely quiet a few days ago for a bit, and BOOM, the 7.2 hits and its replicas, and now YS is back at it, and with some stronger than normal hits.. Two 3.0's just now...

It's all connected. all that kinetic energy has to go somewhere, and now I bet YS is gonna wake up with a new swarm... very interesting.

What we're seeing here is something that hasn't happened in 100's of years. an entire plate is on the move. The data collected during this will be amazing..

It is as if the earth live. O.O

Although many major earthquakes have taken place already this year there are no exceptions to the statistics in previous years .. perhaps because it is only the beginning of the year?

Haiti, Chile, Mexico ...... CALIFORNIA (BIG ONE )????

The lines are still in the red area.
www.swpc.noaa.gov...

Originally posted by Pharyax
Wow. So Yellowstone went completely quiet a few days ago for a bit, and BOOM, the 7.2 hits and its replicas, and now YS is back at it, and with some stronger than normal hits.. Two 3.0's just now...

It's all connected. all that kinetic energy has to go somewhere, and now I bet YS is gonna wake up with a new swarm... very interesting.

What we're seeing here is something that hasn't happened in 100's of years. an entire plate is on the move. The data collected during this will be amazing..

The two 3.0's are 12 hours apart - not exactly BOOM BOOM

[edit on 6-4-2010 by MoorfNZ]

The old Lady is getting us together again it seems.

Robin,
Is there a specific reason for your Northish eruption theory?
Just currious because during the previous Jan/Feb swarm we saw some additional "small" activity on the North/East edge of the caldera. It nearly went unnoticed.

Let us see if this swarm behaves more or less the same way as the previous one. A couple of days of activity, followed by 3.7-3.9 quake and decrease in activity.

Niddy

[edit on 6-4-2010 by Nidwin]

Originally posted by MoorfNZ

The two 3.0's are 12 hours apart - not exactly BOOM BOOM

Ah, I didn't check the times. But still, for that area, after seeing the swarms of the past, a 3.0 is rare. We usually have been seeing 0.1 - 2.5's mostly.

I just hope YS goes back to sleep. We don't need this sleeping giant waking.

reply to post by Robin Marks


I don't know if solare flares do have a relation with volcanos and earthshakes, but if I imagine the workings like this:

The Earth magnetic field is weakening, and with that the shape of the earth is changed a bit. (read that somewhere on the internet, hope it is right.)
Now with a weaker magnetic field solar flares can penetrate and influence earth closer to the equator.
Solar flares are charged Partikels on the move, following magnetic lines. But they are big events, that in doing so build there own magnetic field and that might have some influence on the earth crust and the magma beneath, that might be electricaly charged too.

Now I hope I gave you some food for thought

Pity YMR down.

Would haved like to see today line 01:15MST/08:30UTC on it.
Only visible on YHH and YMC so not convinced a P-wave from a quake.
Don't like how it looks on YHH but not a reliable source YHH.

Anyone has something better that the UTAH-seismographs online for that line?

Wind I think as also showing up on the east and north-east seismographs

[edit on 6-4-2010 by Nidwin]

reply to post by Nidwin


Looks like it went down at 20:00 UTC YMR.WY..HHZ.2010.095

This is the YHH plot from IRIS. YHH.WY..EHZ.2010.096 and this is YMC YMC.WY..EHZ.2010.096

These can all be obtained in Quake Data (Sorry to go on about it but is so much easier that trying to find al the different pages)

reply to post by PuterMan


Have you considered starting a thread for your Quake Data prog - I'm really keen to get it and have a play but keep having to go through old posts etc to get info/updates etc. I'm sure others would also like a central place to go and you could use it for FAQ etc.