Subj: [world's largest] Yellowstone Geyser Erupts
Date: 5/3/00 7:55:34 AM Pacific Daylight Time

Yellowstone Geyser Erupts

Associated Press
May 3, 2000; 9:06 a.m. EDT

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. –– The world's largest geyser had a
major eruption for the first time in 8½ years, and hardly anyone was
around to notice.

Two people sleeping in a camper said they were awakened around 5 a.m.
Tuesday by what they thought was an earthquake, park spokeswoman Marsha
Karle said.

Frightened, they drove away, but looked back in time to see Steamboat
Geyser blowing a plume of water vapor about 500 feet high. A heavy mist
settled over the area in the Norris Geyser Basin, about 30 miles north
of Old Faithful.

The last time it erupted was Oct. 2, 1991, park officials said.

Steamboat Geyser's intervals between major eruptions can vary from three
days to 50 years, including a dormant period from 1911 to 1961.

Bursts rising only 10 to 14 feet are more common.

The geyser had three major eruptions in 1989, one in 1990 and one in
1991.