FUMAROLE

any vent from which volcanic vapours issue. Water vapour is the dominant constituent of such vapours, but acid gases, such as carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide, also characteristically occur. Fumaroles, like geysers, are manifestations of hot springs, which disperse groundwater from the upper parts of the Earth's crust after it has been heated by magma (molten silicate material) and magmatic gases. As magma begins to solidify to form crystalline rock, its gases become concentrated under ever-increasing pressure in the residual, uncrystallized liquid. When the pressure becomes sufficiently high, this liquid, consisting chiefly of hot water and containing gases and minerals in solution, is forced into cracks in the surrounding solid rock. A fumarole is formed if a crack extends upward and opens at the surface. The intimate connection between fumaroles and simple hot springs is obvious in areas where a strong contrast between dry and wet seasons exists. During the dry season, hot springs are transformed into fumaroles, which become hot springs again during periods of heavy precipitation. See also geyser; hot spring.