Bold opening: Yellowstone’s massive acidic geyser has erupted for the first time since 2020, grabbing attention from visitors and scientists alike. A geyser is a geothermal-heated spring that erupts periodically, driven by underground water and magma. It forms a tube-like vent that runs deep underground, filling with water. As the water near the magma heats up and boils, it creates pressure and shoots upward, erupting. After each blast, the water drains back down, and the cycle begins anew.
The Echinus Geyser was famous for its regular eruptions, which is why viewing decks were built around it. In the 1970s, it typically erupted every 40 to 80 minutes. Over the following decades, eruptions could last as long as 90 minutes, launching water up to 75 feet (about 23 meters) high. Some eruptions were vertical, while others tilted, occasionally soaking observers with warm spray.
However, the eruptions became inconsistent, with only one eruption recorded in 2018, one in 2019, and two in 2020. After a quiet period, activity resumed on February 7 and has returned to the pace seen around 2017. These bursts can last up to three minutes, with water reaching heights of about 30 feet.
Researchers caution that the geyser’s behavior is unpredictable: it often awakens for a month or two before returning to sleep. There were no eruptions in the last days of February, so it may have quieted again. Yet for now, the geyser is active, drawing crowds and study teams alike as scientists monitor its pattern and longevity.
