Triggering and modulation of geyser eruptions in Yellowstone National Park by earthquakes, earth tides, and weather

Geyser eruptions in Yellowstone National Park, particularly those of Daisy and Old Faithful, exhibit distinct responses to external stress perturbations. While periodic stresses from earth tides and barometric pressure variations do not significantly affect eruption intervals (IBEs), dynamic stress changes from large earthquakes can modulate these intervals. Specifically, the 2002 M-7.9 Denali earthquake shortened Daisy geyser's IBEs due to surface wave-induced stresses of 0.1–0.2 MPa, whereas larger regional earthquakes in 1959, 1975, and 1983 lengthened Old Faithful's IBEs at stress levels above 0.5 MPa. Additionally, Daisy geyser's IBEs are prolonged by evaporation and heat loss during cold weather or strong wind storms, while Old Faithful remains largely unaffected by atmospheric conditions, suggesting a decoupled subsurface water column. This study provides quantitative insights into the sensitivity of hydrothermal systems to external forces, offering implications for understanding volcanic eruption triggers.

Hurwitz, S., Sohn, R. A., Luttrell, K., & Manga, M. (2014). Triggering and modulation of geyser eruptions in Yellowstone National Park by earthquakes, earth tides, and weather. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 119(3), 1718–1737. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/2013jb010803