Doublet Pool, located near Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park, exhibits a unique phenomenon characterized by rhythmic thumping every 20-30 minutes, providing insights into the park’s hydrothermal system. Unlike Old Faithful’s towering eruptions, Doublet Pool vibrates as bubbles in its plumbing collapse, causing the ground to tremble. A recent study by the University of Utah suggests that these thumping intervals are indicators of energy dynamics in the hydrothermal system, acting as a “thumping thermometer” for the area. Researchers monitored the intervals using geophones and temperature sensors from 2015 to 2022. They discovered that these intervals varied year-round and day-to-day due to differing heat inputs and outputs, influenced by external factors like wind speed. As wind cools the pool’s surface, it affects the energy accumulation necessary for thumping. The heating rate required for thumping has been estimated at 3-7 megawatts, comparable to energy consumption from multiple household furnaces, underscoring potential geothermal energy applications. The findings enhance understanding of geyser behavior and the overall energy dynamics in Yellowstone’s hydrothermal features, crucial for assessing volcanic activity risks. The study is published in Geophysical Research Letters and was funded by the National Science Foundation.
