Imagine it’s 1900. You’re a coal miner in the Black Diamond area. This area is expected to be rich with coal, and you’re excited to start working. You dig a test hole to check for coal, and suddenly you’re soaking wet! Twenty five foot water sprays just went off...and now someone is yelling something about a fifteen foot fire pillar. What just happened?
Most geysers shoot because they are partnered with a hot spring. Water comes up from a lower layer of the earth, and mixes with minerals found in deeper layers. As the water and minerals mix, they form obstructions and get blocked on their path to the surface. Once blocked, geothermal heat causes the water pressure to build up pressure until it bursts through the surface.
Picture taken from Yellowstone's website, http://www.nps.gov/yell/naturescience/geysers_work.htm
Check out the sign at GZ for more information about what minerals affect Bubbling Geyser.
The geyser here in Washington doesn't follow the norm. Yes, when the pressure initially broke the water plumes were massive...but today they've slowed to what we call a "bubbling geyser". The mineral the water mixes with here does not cause a blockage...which means there's no reason for the water to come skyrocketing out. There are a few other unusual aspects of this geyser that are different than the normal.
What is the gas pocket made of? What mineral(s) does it interact with on the way up?
What unusual color do you notice, and what accounts for it?
Answers to these two questions must be emailed to Shrimala via geocaching.com to receive credit for the find. If you are sending answers for multiple geonames please let me know who :)
Pictures are highly encouraged, this is a beautiful park!
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- This geocache has an approved Permit to be placed at this location on property managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. Visitors are responsible for acquainting themselves with policies and rules pertaining to State Parks areas.
- The following items may not be placed in the geocache: food, illegal substances, medications, personal hygiene products, pornographic materials, hazardous materials, or weapons of any type.
- By searching for the cache, visitors agree that they are responsible for their own actions, and acknowledge that neither the State of Washington nor the cache owner is responsible for any loss or injury that may occur in relation to such search.
- Report any incident, problem, or violation to State Parks staff.
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