In 1995, however, washed areas and dead grass around the vent indicated recent activity. The new channel was marked, but a few hours later the marker was still in place. A single eruption was seen in 1996, and observers returned the following year to witness one 149 minute closed interval. Observations in 1998 indicate that Phoenix is erupting regularly at intervals of about 110 minutes. It is the most significant activity in the Gibbon Hill Group, barring the unlikely reactivation of Gibbon Hill Geyser.
Phoenix erupts from several openings along a crack in the old sinter formation.
The largest of these is a pool that gradually rises to overflow about 15 minutes before the eruption. Other eruptive jets come from further down this crack. During its 5-9 minute duration, Phoenix may pause once or twice and then resume activity. The heavy overflow during eruptions of Phoenix has served to clear out what appears to be the old runoff channel of this feature. New sinter deposits have been great enough to firmly cement a loose stick to the outer rim of the pool.