The world's tallest active geyser -- whose major eruptions shoot water more than 300 feet into the air -- is known to be unpredictable. But if there was ever a year to witness Steamboat's spectacular surge of water, this might be it.
Steamboat has erupted 34 times as of Tuesday, according to the US Geological Survey.
That breaks last year's record of 32 eruptions -- the largest number ever recorded in a year. The record before that was 29 eruptions in 1964.
The Steamboat Geyser has experienced periods of more frequent eruptions in the past. The geyser saw an uptick in eruptions in the 1960s after being dormant for about 50 years, and also saw increased eruptions in the 1980s.
Until 2018, the Steamboat Geyser had been mostly calm for about 15 years.
Not. This happens every "Grand Solar Minimum", which is a solar cycle of ten 'eleven year solar cycles. Less solar magnetic energy equals less protection of our planet from galactic cosmic rays, which penetrate earth's atmosphere, stimulating less viscosity of magma, and geologic plates. That's why there are lots of earthquakes and volcanic activity during a GSM. Welcome to the next GSM(Little Ice Age).
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