Each year at Norris a few new hot springs and geysers appear while others become dormant. A stem vents evolve into a Hot Springs, hot springs begin erupting, or a geysers pattern may change. At Norris these changes or disturbances in geothermal activity take place in a cyclic, almost predictable pattern. No other thermal area in Yellowstone exhibits this phenomenon. Mysteriously toward the end of the summer or early fall, features of Norris Geyser Basin undergo dramatic changes literally overnight.
Clear pools become muddy and boil violently, and some suddenly become geysers.
Geysers may become more active or become dormant. These disturbances generally last from a few days to more than a week. Thermal features of Norris Geyser Basin Back Basin Emerald Spring - Clear blue water combines with the yellow sulfur coated crater to create a breathtaking green color. This spring is 27 ft deep and the average temperature is 190 F. Steamboat Geyser - Erupting over 300 ft, Steamboat geyser is the world s tallest active geyser. For hours after the rare 3-40 minutes eruptions, Steamboat thunders with powerful jets of steam.