Porkchop Geyser Earthcache EarthCache
Hidden : 5/26/2012
Difficulty:
1 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size: other (other)

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Geocache Description:


Welcome to the Porkchop Geyser Earthcache
Earthcache GoldThe Porkchop Geyser is located in the Norris Geyser Basin which is the hottest geyser basin in Yellowstone. Please note that there is approximately a 25 meter elevation change from the Norris Basin interpretive center down to the Porkchop Geyser. There are both stairs as well as inclined trails. In warm summer months be sure to bring plenty of water as it can be very hot walking around the boardwalks viewing the geothermal features in Norris Basin.

Description
The Norris Geyser Basin is located near the northwest edge of the Yellowstone Caldera and is on the intersection of a number of major faults:

  • the Norris-Mammoth Corridor running from Norris through Mammoth to Gardiner MT
  • the Hebgen Lake fault running from Norris northwest beyond West Yellowstone MT
  • the ring fracture zone from the creation of the Yellowstone Caldera 640,000 years ago
The Hebgen Lake fault experienced an earthquake on 17 Aug 1959 that registered over 7 on the Richter scale, one of the most powerful in North America. (The epicenter was located near West Yellowstone MT.)

Norris Basin is divided into two sections: the Back Basin and the Procelain Basin. Although today they may look similar the Back Basin was once more heavily wooded (this area was affected by the 1988 forest fires). The Norris Geyser Basin is also constantly changing. One of the geological features here that has undergone significant changes over the last few decades is the Porkchop Geyser which is located in the Back Basin. Norris Basin Back Basin Walk

Porkchop geyser was once a small hot spring that occasionally erupted. As silica began to seal the vent Porkchop Geyser became a continuous spouter in the spring of 1985. The force of the spray caused a roar that could be heard at the Norris Geyser Basin museum over 600 meters away.

In the fall of 1989 Porkchop Geyser exploded hurling rocks from around the vent more than 60 meters.

While many other of Norris's geysers are more acidic Montana State University measured Porkchop's with a pH of 6.64 and temperature of 41.5C in 1998.

Logging Requirements
Please provide the answers to the following questions through my Geocaching profile (w1qa) or message this owner links. If there are multiple cachers in your party please provide their names with your answers.

  1. Is the water blue or some other color? If not blue what do you think makes it that color?
  2. What was the original name and date for this feature?
  3. When did Porkchop first erupt?
  4. Porkchop Geyser is really no longer a geyser as it no longer periodically erupts hot water and steam. What geothermal feature would you now call this?
While including a photo is not a logging requirement please feel free to upload a photo of Porkchop Geyser and/or you at the location with your GPS with your log.

Please! No photos of the interpretive signs or answers in your log - thanks!

OK to log your find on-site or after you send your answers. I will only contact you if there are problems with your answers.

Congrads to VegasScotty for FTF on 07 Jun 2012

Additional Information
National Park interpretive signage

The Geysers of Yellowstone
http://yellowstone.net/geysers/norris-geyser-basin/

Yellowstone National Park Thermal Features
http://www.rcn.montana.edu/resources/features/feature.aspx?nav=11&id=6301

Porkchop Geyser
http://www.nps.gov/yell/photosmultimedia/norris-tour-porkchop-geyser.htm

Notable Changes in Thermal Activity at Norris Geyser Basin
http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/yvo/2003/NorrisTherm03.html

Good Luck!

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