Do Yellowstone pools (they smell like rotten eggs) give off excessive amounts of CO2 and SO2?

Question

I know Yellowstone is basically a volcano that is overdue to blow up, but is it still giving off lots of CO2 and SO2 from the pools and paintpots that can pollute the air?

Answer 1

If the smell is of rotten eggs, the gas is hydrogen sulphide. Sulphur dioxide has an acrid, choking smell - as the mucous membranes absorb it and it combines with the water in them to form dilute sulphuric acid. That said, there is usually SO2 present with volcanic activity. Carbon dioxide is released when hot lava spills out and burns organic matter (e.g. trees).