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How to Find Volcano Vents

A volcanic vent helps the magma under a volcano release heat to the earth's surface. Most are located deep underwater; hydrothermal vents are like geysers conducting the gas and magma through the earth's crust. Underwater vents are rarely seen by humans, and the pressure of the water depth exerts pressure back on the exploding gas and magma so little steam is released. On land, vents are much like Old Faithful and other geysers, releasing steam and gas where tectonic plates meet.

Things You'll Need

Camera
Zoom lens
Aircraft (helicopter or plane)
Submarine
Seismograph
Binoculars

Instructions

- 1
  Venting activity near a volcano can sometimes be noticed by monitoring a seismograph, allowing you to detect seismic activity. Increased seismic activity near a volcano can indicate the creation of vents.
- 2
  Volcanic vents above ground are generally found near the tops of volcanoes, dormant or active. Use a helicopter or chartered plane to get to the altitude of the vents.
- 3
  If the volcano has erupted in the recent (geological) past, the crater itself is considered a vent. Smaller vents can be found farther down the mountain around the surface, flanking the large cone.
- 4
  While searching the mountainside with binoculars or your camera, look for geyser-like steam gusts shooting upward. The gaseous emissions will not be visible, but the heat of the air and water jetting through the vent hitting the ambient atmosphere will create a steam plume.
- 5
  Observe and locate fissures with oozing magma; these too are vents. Any crack in the crust that allows magma, gas or steam to escape from the volcano is considered a vent.

Nature