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Death Gulch Fumaroles

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description Death Gulch Fumaroles Overview

Death Gulch Fumaroles are geological features in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, where volcanic gases escape from underground to the surface. These vents release primarily carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide, gases that can be harmful to wildlife in sufficient concentrations. Historical records from the 1890s documented animal deaths in the area, giving the site its ominous name. The fumaroles are part of Yellowstone's extensive geothermal system, powered by the underlying magma chamber that creates the park's famous geysers, hot springs, and other thermal features.

help Death Gulch Fumaroles FAQ

What are the Death Gulch Fumaroles in Yellowstone?

They are gas vents in a deep V-shaped drainage where volcanic gases escape through the ground, rather than water erupting like a geyser. The site is in Yellowstone National Park and was described by geologists Walter Weed and Arnold Hague in 1888.

Why is Death Gulch dangerous to animals?

Carbon dioxide can collect near the ground and hydrogen sulfide can be lethal at high concentrations, creating a natural trap for animals. USGS explains that dead animals helped give the gulch its name and reveal the danger of its gas chemistry.

What gases come out of Death Gulch?

The main gases are carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide, with one recent USGS description measuring roughly 95 percent carbon dioxide and about 2 percent hydrogen sulfide. That mix can also produce the rotten-egg smell associated with hydrogen sulfide.

Where in Yellowstone are the Death Gulch Fumaroles located?

Death Gulch is associated with the Cache Creek and Soda Butte area of northeastern Yellowstone. Unlike Old Faithful, it is a fumarolic drainage rather than a scheduled water geyser.

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