Yellowstone's Steamboat geyser sees rare eruption (1st time in more than 8 years)

[The Straight Story]

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Old Faithful it's not.

Yellowstone National Park's Steamboat Geyser — the world's tallest — has erupted for the first time in more than eight years.

Park geologist Hank Heasler (HESS-ler) says Wednesday night's nine-minute blast sent steaming hot water an estimated 200 to 300 feet in the air.

Unlike Old Faithful, which spews water like clockwork every hour-and-a-half, no one knows when Steamboat will erupt next.

In the past, it's gone as long as 50 years without a major event. In 1964, it erupted a record 29 times.

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/yellowstones-steamboat-geyser-sees-rare-eruption

I'm not saying it's a super-volcano, it's probably....

[DCBob]

1. I saw it eight years ago. It was just a fluke of timing.

It was quite a sight.

[liberal N proud]

2. We saw it erupt back in the 90's

I recall we were in the area walking around and everyone got all excited so we followed the crowd just in time to see it mid-eruption.

[spin]

3. Sometimes I wonder if the "Hair Guy" is himself an alien. (n/t)