Excelsior was once the largest geyser in the world. However, the last known major eruptions occurred during the 1880s, when there were numerous eruptions up to 90 m (300 feet). The violent eruptions of the 1880s may have caused damage to the siliceous sinter lining, allowing gas leakage and the loss of thermal energy. No observed eruptions were known until 1985 when it erupted for two days. However, it only obtained a height of 6-24 m (20-80 feet). Since its eruptive activity in the 1880s, Excelsior is now a productive thermal spring, presently discharging 15,000 L (4,000 U.S. gallons) per minute.