Hopefully, it will improve later in 1999 but that may just be a pipe dream. Echinus has been known to change its character and strength greatly over the history of the park. When playing well, it is not uncommon to hear first time observers comment that they've enjoyed Echinus more than Old Faithful. It is possible to get closer to Echinus than to any of the other predicted geysers. This coupled with the wildly bursting play of Echinus makes it a treat to watch.
Echinus is a fountain-type geyser.
Its maximum height is about 80-125 feet but most bursts are less than this. Its duration ranges from a minute to over an hour, though, most eruptions last between 5 and 15 minutes. Its intervals range from 20 to 80 minutes. Given Echinus Geyser's great show and its relatively short interval, it is worth waiting for even if you don't know the next prediction. Echinus is the largest frequently active acid geyser in the world.