In the 1990s, a californian was camping in a volcanic area. he died after ignoring posted warnings and sleeping among a stand of dead trees. he was not scalded, not poisoned, not visibly injured, and the campground did not smell bad. what volcanic gas probably killed the camper and the trees?

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Krista Morris

18 September, 15:54

In the 1990s, a californian was camping in a volcanic area. he died after ignoring posted warnings and sleeping among a stand of dead trees. he was not scalded, not poisoned, not visibly injured, and the campground did not smell bad. what volcanic gas probably killed the camper and the trees?

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Aldo Townsend · Answer 1

Carbon dioxide - Carbon dioxide is the only volcanic gas that fits the description. The sulfur gases have bad odors; water vapor could kill only if it were scalding hot; and carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas, but it would change to carbon dioxide in open spaces. In the case above, carbon dioxide seeping upward from a magma chamber had displaced oxygen in the soil around the tree roots and killed the trees (pg 134)