Steamboat Geyser erupts and sends a jet of water and steam above the treeline. This mineral-rich water damages trees that grow within spraying distance of the geyer.
Newswise — WASHINGTON —According to a recent study, Yellowstone's Steamboat Geyser, known for its periodic eruptions, has experienced prolonged dry spells over the years due to historical droughts. The researchers have discovered that with the ongoing increase in global temperatures, the American West is expected to face even drier conditions. As a result, sustained drought in the region may have significant implications for Yellowstone National Park's iconic geyser eruptions, potentially slowing them down or even causing them to cease altogether.
Shaul Hurwitz, a hydrologist at the United States Geological Survey (USGS) who led the research, explained that even minor changes in precipitation can impact the time interval between eruptions. In essence, higher water availability would lead to more frequent eruptions, while reduced water availability would result in less frequent eruptions. This highlights the sensitivity of geothermal features like Steamboat Geyser to changes in environmental conditions, and underscores the potential consequences of a drier climate on the remarkable natural phenomena of Yellowstone National Park.
Forming geysers require highly specific conditions, such as a reliable water source, a heat supply, and the appropriate geological plumbing. However, these delicate balances can be disrupted by environmental factors, such as drought, leading to periods of inactivity for geysers. A recent study, published in Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems—an AGU journal dedicated to Earth and planetary processes research—used partially mineralized wood near Steamboat Geyser to reconstruct its past periods of dormancy and uncover the underlying causes of its dry spells.
As the tallest active geyser in the world, Steamboat has the remarkable ability to shoot water as high as 115 meters (377 feet) into the air, sustaining its eruption for up to 90 minutes. Unlike the predictability of the famous Old Faithful Geyser in the park, Steamboat's eruptions occur sporadically, with intervals ranging from a mere three days to as long as 50 years, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The researchers' current focus is to gain insights into the reasons behind the geyser's historical fluctuations in activity over the course of centuries.
When Steamboat Geyser erupts, its hot water spray contains silica, a mineral known for its ability to hinder decomposition. This silica mist gradually envelops nearby trees, leading to their demise while preserving their structural integrity. Consequently, the dead trees surrounding the geyser can remain remarkably preserved for centuries longer than usual, presenting a valuable resource for studying the geyser's historical activity.
Typically, in Yellowstone, finding wood, even dead wood, older than 300 years is rare due to the decomposition caused by fungi and other bacteria. However, the presence of silica shields the trees from the detrimental effects of these microorganisms. This protective aspect of silica proves advantageous for researchers, as it allows the preservation of the trees, offering invaluable opportunities to study and date the history of Steamboat Geyser and its eruptions.
Yellowstone's forests are predominantly composed of lodgepole pines, which, despite their prevalence, have a relatively short average lifespan of about 150 to 200 years. Leveraging this natural preservation process, Hurwitz and his research team collected silicified wood samples from an area within 14 meters (46 feet) of the geyser vent. Employing radiocarbon dating, they observed that the tree samples clustered around three distinct time periods: the late 15th Century, mid-17th Century, and late 18th Century.
The geyser's erupting water is rich in silica, and as this silica precipitates, it obstructs the pathways essential for trees to undergo respiration, photosynthesis, and growth. As a consequence, when trees grow in close proximity to the geyser mound, the eruptions become infrequent or cease altogether. This finding provides valuable insights into the relationship between the geothermal activity of the geyser and the growth patterns of the lodgepole pines near its vent.
Hurwitz and his team correlated the three periods of tree growth around the Steamboat Geyser with regional climate records and made a significant discovery: these periods coincided with historical droughts. These environmental conditions likely caused a reduction in the local water supply, leading to a dormancy period for the geyser and allowing trees to thrive in the area. However, the researchers noted that Steamboat Geyser hasn't experienced prolonged dormancy for extended periods.
Their analysis revealed that no silicified tree remnants with more than 10 or 20 annual rings were found, indicating that trees did not have the opportunity to grow significantly in that vicinity. Thus, there were no extended periods of continuous growth lasting many decades or centuries.
Nevertheless, the concern lies in the fact that with the ongoing rise in global temperatures, the American West may face extended and severe droughts. This situation could further diminish the geyser activity in Yellowstone, possibly leading to more frequent periods of dormancy and affecting the natural rhythm of this iconic natural wonder.
Hurwitz expressed concern about the potential impact of a projected warmer and drier climate in the 21st century on geysers. He anticipates that this changing environment could lead to significant alterations in geyser behavior, causing them to erupt less frequently, and in some cases, even face extinction.
Well-known geysers like Old Faithful might lose their reliability in adhering to their usual eruption schedules due to diminishing water supplies. These shifts in geyser activity could have far-reaching consequences for how Yellowstone National Park manages visitor experiences and overall visitation.
The changing climate poses a significant challenge for the park's natural wonders, and the management strategies will need to adapt to preserve these unique geothermal features and maintain the delicate balance of the ecosystem amid evolving environmental conditions.
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Notes for Journalists: This study is published in Geochemistry Geophysics, Geosystems with open access. Neither the paper nor this press release is under embargo. View and download a pdf of the study here.
Paper title:
“The Relation Between Decadal Droughts and Eruptions of Steamboat Geyser in Yellowstone National Park, USA”
Authors:
Shaul Hurwitz, U.S. Geological Survey, Volcano Science Center, Menlo Park, California, US
John King, Lone Pine Research, Bozeman, Montana, USA
Gregory Pederson, U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Bozeman, Montana, USA
Mara Reed, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
Lauren Harrison, U.S. Geological Survey, Volcano Science Center, Menlo Park, California, US
Jefferson Hungerford, Yellowstone Center for Resources, Yellowstone National Park, WY, USA
R. Greg Vaughan, U.S. Geological Survey, Astrogeology Science Center, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
Michael Manga, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
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