Looking down past the "Black Growler" and "Boiler" steam vents to Constant Geyser, Yellowstone Park, U.S.A.

Publication

Looking down past the "Black Growler" and "Boiler" steam vents to Constant Geyser, Yellowstone Park, U.S.A.

Description

This sterograph gives an excellent idea of the appearance of the Norris Geyser Basin. In the foreground can be seen several steam vents, among them the "Boiler" and "Black Growler" (No. 9), while beyond is seen the Constant or Minute Man, as it is often called. This geyser as the name indicates, has an eruption every minute; and while it is not so large as some others in the Park, it sends jets of boiling water some forty feet and its frequent action together with the fact that it has no cone and one can easily see into its clear depths, makes it a popular one for the tourist, especially for those who can remain in the Park but a short time. Not all of the geysers and springs of this basin have clear water by any means. Many of them are saturated with sulphur, giving them a milky appearance, and sulphuretted hydrogen. When a solution of the latter comes in contact with water containing iron an ugly black precipitate of sulphite of iron is formed around the spring. In 1875, Col. Norris, who was at that time Superintendent of the Park, discovered this geyser basin and it was named in his honor. It is the highest basin in the Park and covers an area of about four square miles. It is full of sulphur springs and as one walks across it he has the imperssion that the whole region under him is one vast seething caldron; and the impression is not far wrong, for the surface is full of small steam vents and in many places the crust is so thin that it is unsafe to walk upon it. In order that the region may, with safety, be more closely examined, board walks have been built over many of the more interesting parts of it. It is safe to say that Norris Geyser Basin makes a lasting impression upon all who visit it.