Fumarole

Fumaroles are vents from which volcanic gas escapes into the atmosphere. Fumaroles may occur along tiny cracks or long fissures, in chaotic clusters or fields, and on the surfaces of lava flows and thick deposits of pyroclastic flows. They may persist for decades or centuries if they are above a persistent heat source or disappear within weeks to months if they occur on top of a fresh volcanic deposit that quickly cools.

Fumarole with sulphur crystals, Vulcano. Note water condensation upper left. Image scale: about 10cm across. Foto: J. Alean. Fumarole field on Fossa crater, Vulcano Fumaroles heating seawater, Vulcano

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