Note from the Earthcache owners: Lately, we have been receiving a lot of logs with answers such as “I don’t know” or “Heck if I know” or with one or more questions left blank. When we receive these incomplete logs, we reach out to the cacher to let them know that we do actually need four correct answers in order to give logging approval for this Earthcache. If we never hear back, we delete the log. We are more than happy to provide hints and guidance to cachers who truly want to complete this EC, but we do require four complete, correct answers. Sorry! We actually want you to use your powers of observation and deduction here and learn about this very unique geyser. Please read through the questions before hiking out to the site. If you are unsure you can complete all four questions correctly, please consider trying one of our other Yellowstone ECs instead. If you do give Solitary Geyser a try and cannot complete the questions, please do the right thing and delete your log. Thank you!
Yellowstone National Park's renowned Upper Geyser Basin is a complex system of geothermal features, with geysers being the best known of the different geological features found at this location. More than 25 percent of the world's geysers are found within a square mile here, and it is believed that the natural wonders of the Upper Geyser Basin are what led to Yellowstone being founded as the world's first national park.
The Upper Geyser Basin can be broken down into several geyser groups, each with their own unique eruption frequencies and durations. This Earthcache focuses on a feature located in the nearby Geyser Hill Group: Solitary Geyser. At first sight, Solitary Geyser appears to be a large, steaming hot spring. However, Solitary Geyser is one of the Upper Geyser Basin's most regular performers, its minute-long eruptions occurring every four to eight minutes to a height of approximately five feet. A surprisingly short geyser, considering its size, but there is a reason for that: until 1915, Solitary Geyser had been known as Solitary Spring. Its transformation to geyser is a prime example of what happens when man tampers with nature.
PLEASE NOTE THE DIFFICULTY RATING! On-site observation and comparative research to similar nearby features will be required to complete this Earthcache. If you are having difficulty with your answers, please visit the Old Faithful Visitors Center. To be considered for logging approval, please email us the following:
1. How did human interference cause Solitary Spring to become Solitary Geyser? Extra applause if you can name the actual structure that was built, and a standing ovation if you can tell us when it was shut down.
2. List the three geological processes (steps) that occurred AFTER the human tampering in question 1, causing the spring to transform into a geyser. The answer to question 1 is NOT one of these steps! These naturally occurring steps took place after what happened in question 1. PLEASE USE THE PROVIDED FORMULA FOR YOUR ANSWER!
REACTION A: ___________
Reaction A led to
REACTION B: ___________
Reaction B led to
REACTION C: ___________
Reaction C led to the eruption of Solitary Geyser.
PLEASE NOTE: We are asking for the steps that physically changed Solitary Spring's internal plumbing system as a result of question 1. In other words, how did what happened in question 1 change the internal plumbing system of Solitary Spring? The steps are all naturally occurring. Humans are not involved in these three steps. Please also bear in mind that Solitary Geyser did NOT form the way normal geysers form, so please don’t list the steps for a typical geyser. Remember: no constrictions, no boiling at depth.
NOTE: The spring's transformation happened almost instantly, in a matter of minutes. There was no time for blockages or constrictions to build up. PLEASE NOTE: Responding "water boiled at a greater depth" is incorrect.
PLEASE ALSO NOTE: Apparently there is a park volunteer or a ranger telling visitors that tourists threw coins into the spring, causing it to turn into a geyser. THIS IS WRONG! We have notified the park's chief geologist about this and he promised to investigate.
3. Examine the shallow areas of Solitary Geyser’s geyser pool (do not look at the center depths). What colors do you see, and what causes these colors to exist?
4. Note the mineral deposits around part of the outer rim of Solitary Geyser’s pool (by outer rim, we mean the very outside of the geyser pool). Describe the shape of these mineral deposits. What do they look like? How big are they (use inches, centimeters, feet, meters, whatever measurement you believe to be correct). These deposits are made from a geyser-specific mineral, meaning a mineral found only at geysers. What is the name of this mineral? HINT: the name of the mineral and the shape of the deposits give these deposits their geological name. Solitary is one of the few places in North America where these deposits can be seen.
5. Optional:Post a photo of you or your GPSr with Solitary Geyser in the background. It doesn't have to be erupting at the time!
And now, a word from the Yellowstone Park Ranger:
Please remember to stay on the provided trail at all times. The ground around Geyser Hill and the entire Upper Geyser Basin is very fragile and at any time, a new geothermal system may make its appearance. For your safety and for the continued preservation of the geothermal features, please stay on the trail! The last thing you want to happen on your vacation is to be parboiled because you fell through the crust.
IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ!
Team FMA created this Earthcache to share some of Yellowstone's geology with you, not to share a photo op and a hike with you. If any of your submitted answers are incorrect, we are happy to give you hints and clues to guide you to the correct answer(s). We truly want you to learn about this site! Please do understand we do not give smileys away just for hiking out to Solitary. You will need to get all 4 answers correct, and all this takes is observation, deduction, and — if needed — a nudge from us. If you choose not to complete this EC, please delete your log. It is unfair to those who complete this EC if those who do not do so keep their log up. Thank you!
Thank you for visiting our Earthcache!
Placement approved by
Yellowstone National Park
Congratulations to Lord Mot and Baby-Girl on their joint FTF our Earthcache!