fumarole
Sign in to savethumb|Fumarole at Sol de Mañana, Bolivia
AI overview
A fumarole is an opening in the Earth's surface that releases steam and volcanic gases, like the one visible in this geothermal area of Bolivia. These vents are important because they provide clues about underground heat and geological activity, and can be used as natural indicators of volcanic or geothermal systems.
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7 sectionsContents
- Description
- Economic resources and hazards
- Occurrences
- On Mars
- See also
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- External links
thumb|Fumarole at Sol de Mañana, Bolivia
A fumarole (; also spelled fumerole) is a vent through the surface of Earth or another terrestrial planet from which hot volcanic gases and vapors are emitted, without any accompanying liquids or solids. Fumaroles are characteristic of the late stages of volcanic activity, but fumarole activity can also precede a volcanic eruption and has been used for eruption prediction. Most fumaroles die down within a few days or weeks of the end of an eruption, but a few are persistent, lasting for decades or longer. An area containing fumaroles is known as a fumarole field.