VHP Photo Glossary: Volcanic gas
Volcanic gas
Magma contains dissolved gases that are released into the atmosphere
during eruptions. Gases are also released from magma that either remains
below ground (for example, as an intrusion) or rises toward the surface. In such cases, gases may escape continuously into the atmosphere
from the soil, volcanic vents, fumaroles, and hydrothermal systems. The
most common gas released by magma is steam (H
Sulfur dioxide and other volcanic gases rise from the Pu`u `O`o vent on Kilauea Volcano, Hawai`i. During periods of sustained eruption from Pu`u `O`o between 1986 and 2000, Kilauea emitted about 2,000 to 1,000 metric tonnes of irritating sulfur dioxide gas (SO2) gas each day.