Keeping Watch Over the Castle
by Ann Johndro-Collins
Title
Keeping Watch Over the Castle
Artist
Ann Johndro-Collins
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Geyser watcher enjoying Castle Geyser eruption in Yellowstone National Park.
Castle Geyser is a cone geyser in the Upper Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park. It is noted for the particularly large geyserite sinter deposits. When the geyser was given this name in 1870, the top edges of the structure resembled the typical profile associated with the modern concept of a castle, having the appearance of a large keep, multiple turrets, and especially because of the crenellation along the top edges of what resembled its towers. Over time the cone's shape changes because of the layers of mineral deposited in successive eruptions.
Castle Geyser has a 10 to 12 hour eruption cycle. The geyser erupts hot water for about 20 minutes in a vertical column that reaches a height of 90 feet before changing to a noisy steam phase that issues for 30 to 40 minutes.
The sinter cone for Castle Geyser has been dated to around 1022 using carbon-14 dating. A 3-D laser scan made of the cone reveals evidence that this geyser has evolved through four to five distinct stages to reach its current configuration.
In November 2002, an earthquake in Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska caused Castle Geyser, as well as other geysers in Yellowstone, to decrease in eruption frequency. The affected geysers have returned to their previous pattern since that time, however.
Uploaded
November 2nd, 2012
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Comments (89)
Giuseppe Epifani
Great!! awesome composition!
Ann Johndro-Collins replied:
Thank you so much, Giuseppe, for this sweet compliment...very encouraging to me!!
Suzanne Silvir
Great contrast between that stark,black umbrella and motionless seated man-and the brilliant white explosion of steam and energy.
Ginny Barklow
Wonderful capture of this geyser erupting!! The person with the umbrella adds a nice touch!! L F
Ann Johndro-Collins replied:
So fun to see this man dressed in a business suit thoroughly enjoying the park as if he had visited many times before and was simply taking a break from his work.
Ann Johndro-Collins
Thank you so very much, Adam, for featuring Keeping Watch Over the Castle in The Movement...grateful!!
Ann Johndro-Collins
James - I am delighted that Keeping Watch Over the Castle is featured in Beauty...thank you!!
Bedros Awak
This is very nice capture indeed, Smart you need an umbrella to cover you up..the power of the geyser is very obvious..v,f,t
Ann Johndro-Collins replied:
Thank you, Bedros! The geysers are fascinating and each has its own sort of "personality"...Yellowstone is overall a magical place. Very grateful for your support!
Barbara St Jean
Congratulations your submission has been FEATURED in MOUSE!! Great Work!! Cheers, Barbara F/V
Ann Johndro-Collins replied:
Thank you so very much, Barbara...I am delighted that Keeping Watch Over the Castle is featured in MOUSE!!