A 19-year-old was badly burned from an iconic geyser in Yellowstone National Park, officials said. Park rangers helped the woman at Old Faithful on Thursday. She had second- and third-degree burns over 5% of her body, park rangers said.
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If you've ever visited Old Faithful and the other geysers at Yellowstone National Park, you've likely come away with two reactions. First, it's one of the most captivating sights in all of nature. Second, the place stinks like rotting eggs.
Old Faithful Geyser expels 3,700 to 8,400 gallons of water each time it erupts. During eruptions, the water in Old Faithful shoots from 106 to more than 180 feet (32-55 m) high.
Old Faithful “plays” prior to an eruption with splashes of boiling water that may reach as high as 20 feet (6 m). A full eruption usually begins from this play. Once the eruption starts, the splashes grow larger and larger until the eruption reaches its full height.
This may have been a bit of an exaggeration, but geysers do emit a bit of a stench due to the elevated levels of sulfuric acid and hydrogen sulfide gas contained within the geysers themselves.
The mornings (dawn until 11 a.m.) and evenings (6 p.m. until dusk) are perfect window times for beating the tour groups and family wagons and securing a spot with an uninterrupted view. If you prefer the morning, all you need is a trusty alarm clock, maybe a strong cup of coffee and an early start to the day.
The current population of lions in Yellowstone is estimated to be 18-24 animals and is thought to be increasing. Mountain lions live an average lifespan of about 12 years in the wild. Mountain lions were significantly reduced by predator control measures during the early 20th century.
Just like the animals in the park, the geyser basins won't stop with the weather. Geyser basins are a never-ending wonder, even in the rain; Old Faithful will still spectacularly erupt and hot springs will still be vibrant despite weather conditions.