Model for the eruption of the Old Faithful geyser, Yellowstone National Park

A groundbreaking physical model has successfully replicated the eruption intervals of Old Faithful geyser, Yellowstone National Park, from 2000 to 2011. The model hinges on convective boiling within the geyser's conduit and aligns with existing time-temperature-depth data. It identifies a preplay phase—critical for determining main eruption intervals—that follows a Rayleigh probability density function, peaking at nine minutes. Assuming minimal temperature gradients due to convection, the model assigns uniform heat content to individual convection cells and uses observed bottom heating (110 °C) and recharge temperatures (80 °C), with a total conduit volume of 23 m³. The composite model effectively reproduces Old Faithful's bimodal eruption pattern, where long durations precede prolonged intervals and vice versa. While the cause of short eruption durations remains unresolved, this study provides a robust framework for understanding geyser dynamics.

O’Hara, K. D., & Esawi, E. K. (2013). Model for the eruption of the Old Faithful geyser, Yellowstone National Park. GSA Today, 23(6), 4–9. https://doi.org/10.1130/gsatg166a.1