What different gasses are released when a volcano erupts?

Lindsey and Catriona

Hi Lindsey and Catriona,

That is a good question. The three most common gases released by volcanoes are H2O, SO2, and CO2. Depending on the volcano, these are released in different proportions, but commonly it is H2O that is released in the greatest amounts. Other minor gases that have been detected at some (but not all) volcanoes are H2S, HF, CO, H, CH4, and others.

It is very difficult to recover uncontaminated gas samples. Not only is it dangerous work to go up to the summits where the gas vents are commonly found, but as volcanic gases rise up from the magma chamber it is almost impossible for them not to react with groundwater as well as the pre-existing rocks.

I did a web-search on [volcanic gases] and there were 40 sites found. One of the more interesting ones is at:

http://water.wr.usgs.gov/mammoth/

Sincerely,

Scott Rowland

Other Categories        Other Questions
To VolcanoWorld