• Question: What are fumaroles and what do they do?

    Asked by ilovemydogholly to Matt on 25 Jun 2013.
    • Photo: Matthew Pankhurst

      Matthew Pankhurst answered on 25 Jun 2013:

      Fumaroles are cool – they make whistling and gurgling noises! It’s where a tunnel of super-hot gas escapes to the surface. Often they have some moisture and other elements with them, which grow on the sides. A common element to grow on the sides (and out the top!) is sulphur. Sulphur is yellow, which is why the tops of many fumaroles are yellow 🙂

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