There are a number of interesting and pretty pools and geysers in this basin. It is well worth exploring. Rocco Paperiello has written a very interesting and comprehensive history of the thermal features at Black Sand Basin. It is well worth a look . It was named for the low cliff-like wall that separates the geyser from the creek.
Cliff is a fountain-type geyser.
Intervals and durations have ranged from a few minutes to hours. During much of the history of the park, Cliff was dormant or an infrequent performer but for a number of years now, Cliff has often been in eruption more than half the time. The eruption starts from a low pool with the water slowly rising as the eruption continues. Many eruptions stop shortly after the pool reaches overflow but some long duration eruptions may continue long after overflow is reached. Short duration eruptions rarely reach overflow.