Fumaroles and Boiling Pools
Trail Thoughts and Musings
Fumaroles are small vents that let out volcanic gases. Most of them at Bumpass Hell are drowned fumaroles. These are features that originate when steam and gases vent into standing bodies of water. The violent, roaring steam vents are due to the superheated water in this hydrothermal area. At this elevation water boils at 198 F. but the underground water reaches a temperature of 284 F.
Werner Hager at cyberguide@cyberhikes.com
Last updated December 12, 1999.
Copyright 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 by Werner W. Hager and Micromoms. All rights reserved.