Rift is often preceded by an eruption of West Triplet Geyser . Rift erupts in a number of jets along a fissure in the sinter. In the last few years, the central portion, around the largest vents, has subsided some so that Rift now erupts through a shallow pool. This pool is present only during the eruption. Intervals for Rift range from less than 12 hours to more than two days.
Durations often last more than two hours and can last up to four hours.
Heights of the tallest jets rarely reach four feet. Because of its long duration and steady flow of water, Rift puts out a large amount of water during an eruption. In fact, some years, eruptions of Rift have been known to delay an eruption of Grand Geyser by about two hours. Rift erupts from what appears to be a long dead hot spring. On examination, it is easy to see the half buried sinter rim of an old hot spring that appears to encircle Rift.