
Every winter when I visit Yellowstone National Park, I am awed by the park’s thermal features which include numerous geysers, fumaroles, mud pots, and hot springs. Along with Old Faithful, one geyser I am always thrilled to see is Clepsydra Geyser that is visible from the walkway near the Fountain Paint Pot area. It is a reliable, nearly constant performer and its eruptions are visible throughout the Lower Geyser Basin. The name Clepsydra is Greek for water clock and it got is name because at one time, it erupted every three minutes. However, the U.S. National Park Service says that ever since an earthquake in 1959, its eruptions are almost continuous so the three minute wait for an eruption is gone.