CEAE Distinguished Speaker, Dr. Bradley Carr presents Near-Surface Geophysical Insights into Geyser Structure and Dynamics

Hydrothermal geysers are engaging features that exhibit rapid and occasionally violent eruption of hydrothermal fluids/vapors. Geysers are relatively rare, but Yellowstone National Park (YNP) is home to roughly 500 of them, the most concentrated geyser field in the world. Yet, the “plumbing” and dynamics of geyser eruptions are poorly understood, mostly because of lack of subsurface structural knowledge. Geophysical techniques allow us to image these structures and to observe dynamic geyser behavior. We will discuss various active geophysical methods to:

1. Constrain the characteristics of the structure, and
2. Understand better the subsurface geometry of Spouter & Old Faithful Geyser and their “hydrothermal geyser reservoir” structures.

After establishing the structure, we will explore how geophysical data informs geyser dynamic models for Upper Geyser Basin, YNP. We apply active, time-lapse electrical (ERT & SP) and electromagnetic (TEM) geophysical methods, sensitive to subsurface resistivity, to track hydrothermal fluid and vapor through these geyser systems.

Dr. Carr is an Academic Professional Research Scientist, Department of Geology and Geophysics and Director of the University of Wyoming Near-Surface Geophysics Instrument Center (UWNSG). His research focuses on the integrated use & development of near surface geophysical methods to understand near-surface material geophysical properties and groundwater recharge/movement in mountain headwater environments, hydrothermal areas, the Earth’s Critical Zone, and contaminated (or threatened) municipal aquifers. He has multiple ongoing critical zone and hydrogeophysical research projects in and around the U.S., in Yellowstone National Park geyser and phase separation systems, and in geophysical characterization and monitoring of Uranium depositional and roll front deposits in Wyoming.