Hawaii volcano: Do NOT roast marshmallows over erupting Mount Kilauea, US government warns

Volcanic gases rise from the Kilauea lava flow
REUTERS

A US government agency has been forced to warn against roasting marshmallows over volcanic vents surrounding Hawaii’s Mount Kilauea.

A curious Twitter user asked the US Geological Survey whether the sticky treat would become poisonous if toasted over smoke rising from the volcano.

The agency, which has been posting updates about the eruption that has forced thousands to flee their homes, responded by saying: “We’re going to have to say no, that’s not safe”.

Jay Furr, from Vermont in the US, had asked: “Is it safe to roast marshmallows over volcanic vents? Assuming you had a long enough stick, that is?

“Or would the resulting marshmallows be poisonous?”

The US Geological Survey added that the resulting reaction would be “pretty spectacular” as they warned residents not to attempt it.

Admins of its USGS Volcanoes Twitter account wrote: “Erm...we're going to have to say no, that's not safe. (Please don't try!)

“If the vent is emitting a lot of SO2 or H2S, they would taste BAD.

Hawaii volcano lava causes mass evacuation

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“And if you add sulfuric acid (in vog, for example) to sugar, you get a pretty spectacular reaction.”

Last week, people in Hawaii were warned about toxic fumes produced when molten rock flows into the ocean.

Kilauea is an extremely active volcano and its present eruption began 35 years ago.

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