The geyser stayed dormant between 1911 and 1961, for instance, before it suddenly roared back to life.
And when it does erupt, the spectacle is unforgettable as they geyser can spew hot water and steam 300ft into the air anywhere between three and 40 minutes at a time.
Starting in March 2018, Steamboat rumbled back to life after a three-and-a-half-year slumber.
That year, the geyser erupted a total of 32 times, and then 48 times in 2019, and 48 times again in 2020.
Michael Poland, geophysicist with the US Geological Survey (USGS), said: “And just like last year, the shortest and longest time periods between eruptions were about three and 17 days, respectively.”
The geyser’s sudden outburst of activity has led some to question whether it could be a sign of something far more sinister brewing underground.