fumaroles
Steam-emitting geological openings
Fumaroles are vents in the earth's surface that emit steam and volcanic gases.
They occur in volcanic regions where underground water meets hot rock, producing plumes of sulfurous vapor: The hikers kept their distance from the fumaroles on the crater rim.
The rotten-egg smell of hydrogen sulfide often announces their presence.
Opening for airflow
- craterImpact or volcanic basin
- eruptionViolent sudden release
- lavaErupted liquid stone
- magmaMolten rock underground
caldera · pyroclastic · ash · basalt · andesite · tuff · pumice · obsidian
Toxic gas, foul-smelling
- sulfur dioxideSO₂ gas compound
- brimstoneArchaic word for sulfur
- sulfateAcidic salt compound
- sulfurousContaining yellow element
Heated groundwater emerging naturally
- geysersErupting thermal water sources
- hydrothermalHot water underground
- thermal energyMolecular kinetic activity
- geothermal powerElectricity from subterranean heat
heat flow · steam vents · groundwater · thermal springs · Yellowstone · Rotorua · Iceland · Kamchatka
Heated water's gaseous form
- vaporGaseous form of liquid
- plumeOrnamental feather or rising column
- exhalationBreathing out air
- carbon dioxideRespiration byproduct, photosynthesis fuel
water vapor · methane · outgassing · aerosols · condensation · fumes
vent
Opening for airflow
magma · caldera · pyroclastic · ash · basalt · andesite · tuff · pumice · obsidian · scoria
hydrogen sulfide
Toxic gas, foul-smelling
- sulfur dioxideSO₂ gas compound
- brimstoneArchaic word for sulfur
- sulfateAcidic salt compound
hot springs
Heated groundwater emerging naturally
- geysersErupting thermal water sources
- hydrothermalHot water underground
- thermal energyMolecular kinetic activity
geothermal power · heat flow · steam vents · groundwater · thermal springs · Yellowstone · Rotorua · Iceland · Kamchatka · geothermal field
steam
Heated water's gaseous form
- vaporGaseous form of liquid
- plumeOrnamental feather or rising column
- exhalationBreathing out air
carbon dioxide · water vapor · methane · outgassing · aerosols · condensation · fumes
fumarolesgeysers
Erupting thermal water sources
hot springs · thermal pools · hydrothermal vents · volcanic craters · lava flows
fumarolesglaciers
Slow-moving ice masses
permafrost · ice caves · frozen ground · ice fields · tundra