The United States Geological Survey unit responsible for volcanoes currently has quite a lot on its plate handling the Hawaii eruption, but it was not expecting a social media query on whether it was safe to toast marshmallows over volcanic vents.
A Vermont resident asked whether it would be safe as long as a long enough stick was used. And the USGS replied that - not surprisingly - it was not due to the possibly toxic fumes being emitted.
At least he asked before trying it out!
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. And if you add sulfuric acid (in vog, for example) to sugar, you get a pretty spectacular reaction.
— USGS Volcanoes???? (@USGSVolcanoes) May 29, 2018
Kilauea has entered its fourth week of what may be an unprecedented, simultaneous eruption at its summit crater and along a 9.7km string of fissures 40 km down its east flank.
Lava flows from multiple fissures have blocked roads and damaged dozens of buildings on Hawaii's Big Island.
And in case you are wondering what is happening now, follow the USGS Facebook video.