Grotto Geyser facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Grotto Geyser
Name origin	Grotto Geyser
Location	Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Teton County, Wyoming
Coordinates	44°28′19″N 110°50′30″W / 44.47181°N 110.84178°W / 44.47181; -110.84178
Elevation	7,326 feet (2,233 m)
Type	Fountain geyser
Eruption height	10 feet (3.0 m)
Frequency	8 hours
Duration	1 to 10 hours
North section of Upper Geyser Basin

Grotto Geyser is a unique hot spring that shoots water high into the air. It's located in the Upper Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park in the United States. Grotto Geyser is famous for its unusual shape, which looks like a bumpy, cave-like structure. It's also the name for a group of geysers that includes Grotto Fountain Geyser, Spa Geyser, and Rocket Geyser.

History of Grotto Geyser

On September 18, 1870, a group of explorers called the Washburn–Langford–Doane Expedition visited the Upper Geyser Basin. During their trip, they explored the area for a day and a half. They named seven geysers, and Grotto Geyser was one of them.

Nathaniel P. Langford, a member of the expedition, described Grotto Geyser in 1871. He said it was named "The Grotto" because its opening looked like a cave. It had many large, twisty holes. He even mentioned one of his friends crawling into an opening! A few hours later, a huge stream of boiling water shot out of that same hole.

How Grotto Geyser Erupts

Grotto Geyser usually erupts about every eight hours. If an eruption lasts longer, the time until the next eruption will also be longer. Its eruptions can reach about 10 feet (3.0 m) high. They can last from about one hour to more than ten hours. Some eruptions have even lasted over 26 hours!

Eruption Sequence

Grotto Fountain Geyser

Grotto Geyser is connected to at least five other geysers nearby. Its eruptions often start after Grotto Fountain Geyser erupts. Sometimes, both Grotto Fountain Geyser and South Grotto Fountain Geyser erupt first. If South Grotto Fountain Geyser erupts alone, it can delay eruptions from Grotto Fountain Geyser and Grotto Geyser itself.

After Grotto Geyser has a "short mode" eruption, which lasts about one to two hours, Rocket Geyser usually has a big eruption. About three-quarters of Grotto's eruptions are short mode. Grotto Geyser and Rocket Geyser often erupt at the same time. When Grotto Geyser has a "long mode" eruption, lasting six to twelve hours, Spa Geyser erupts instead of Rocket Geyser.

Connection with Giant Geyser

Grotto Geyser is important not just for its own size, but also because of how its eruptions affect Giant Geyser. Giant Geyser is one of the world's most powerful geysers. It only erupts during "hot periods." These are times when smaller geysers around Giant Geyser become more active.

Most hot periods do not lead to Giant Geyser eruptions. However, Giant Geyser often starts erupting during the hot period right after a Grotto Geyser eruption begins. Also, after Grotto Geyser's long "marathon" eruptions end, a very active "recovery hot period" often happens near Giant Geyser. This can cause Giant Geyser to erupt. Giant Geyser eruptions can also happen four to five hours after a Grotto marathon eruption starts.

Physical Structure of Grotto Geyser

Grotto Geyser's cone is nearly 8 feet (2.4 m) high. Its unusual shape comes from a mineral called sinter. Sinter builds up around old tree stumps as the geyser erupts. This creates the unique, bumpy, cave-like look of the geyser's opening.

Images for kids

• 

  Grotto Geyser erupting

• 

  At rest, 2015

• 

  Grotto geyser erupting in Upper Geyser Basin, 2019

• 

  Grotto geyser in the early morning, 2019

• 

  Sketch of Grotto Geyser, 1871

• 

  Grotto Geyser, ca. 1888. Photo by F. Jay Haynes.

• 

  Close up of Grotto Geyser, 2009