fumarole

noun fu·ma·role \ ˈfyü-mə-ˌrōl \

|Updated on: 12 Jul 2018

Definition of fumarole

: a hole in a volcanic region from which hot gases and vapors issue

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fumarolic

play \ˌfyü-mə-ˈrō-lik\ adjective

Recent Examples of fumarole from the Web

Here are a few: Lassen Volcanic, replete with mountain lakes, alpine meadows, boisterous fumaroles and four types of dormant volcanoes, is one of the West’s overlooked national parks.

— david swanson, latimes.com, "National parks where you can find solitude in summer," 1 July 2018
Prepare for plumes: Ingrid Smet, geologist and tour coordinator at Volcano Adventures, advises carrying a gas mask to expeditions with fumaroles -- openings that release toxic gases and steam -- such as Nyiragongo.

— giannella m. garrett, chicagotribune.com, "When planning a hike on an active volcano, safety before spectacle," 11 May 2018
Phillips orchestrates a hike around prized thermal features like mud pots, hot springs, and fumaroles (steam vents) as a discussion on the creation of the world and its living wonders takes place.

— jenn rice, Vogue, "Inside a Three-Day Trek Through the Serengeti of North America," 21 Apr. 2018
The whole area seethes with hydrothermal activity: Sulfuric acid spews from active fumaroles; geysers spout water and steam; the ground froths with boiling mud; and earthquake swarms shudder through the region, 125 miles south of Rome.

— kristine phillips, Washington Post, "An 11-year-old boy fell into an Italian volcanic crater. His parents also died trying to save him.," 12 Sep. 2017
The whole area seethes with hydrothermal activity: Sulfuric acid spews from active fumaroles

— kristine phillips, Washington Post, "An 11-year-old boy fell into an Italian volcanic crater. His parents also died trying to save him.," 12 Sep. 2017
The smoking fumaroles, sky-blue hot springs, and mossy hills intermingle to create the kinds of pastel neon sediments normally found in cartoons, not nature.

— mosha lundström halbert, Vogue, "From Rauðhólar to Vík: A Guide to Southern Iceland," 9 Sep. 2017
The fumaroles, steam plumes and bubbling, bursting geysers put on an impressive natural exhibition.

— photographs by adam harteau, New York Times, "This Family’s Road Trip Never Ends," 28 Aug. 2017
The voyages offer travelers an easy way to get to some of Iceland's most remote areas and see the full range of its famously striking landscapes, from geothermal fields of geysers and fumaroles to mountains, glaciers, volcanoes and waterfalls.

— gene sloan, USA TODAY, "Cruising to adventure in Iceland on a Windstar ship," 25 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fumarole.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of fumarole

Italian fumarola, from Italian dialect (Neapolitan), from Late Latin fumariolum vent, from Latin fumarium smoke chamber for aging wine, from fumus

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First Known Use: 1811

in the meaning defined above

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