Category: Park/Wilderness/Nature
City: Yellowstone National Park
To many people, the most exciting thermal area in Yellowstone National Park is Norris Geyser Basin. The geyser basin is Yellowstone's most compact thermal area, with literally hundreds of geysers, pools, hot springs and other features, many of which can be viewed on a walk of less than two miles. It is divided into two areas: Porcelain Basin to the north and Back Basin to the south. Porcelain Basin includes such geysers as Africa, which displays constantly; Dark Cavern Geyser, which erupts several times an hour and shoots 11-20 feet; and Constant, which also erupts several times an hour but at heights of 10-40 feet. One of the high points of Back Basin is Echinus Geyser, but the most interesting geyser is Steamboat. It is unpredictable, but it is the most powerful in the park and shoots water 300-350 feet into the sky. Steamboat erupted in 1969 and was thought to be dormant until March 1978, when it "went off" with great gusto. Since then it has erupted several more times.