solfatara

Etymology

From Solfatara, the name of a volcano near Naples, from Italian solfo (“sulphur”).

Noun

solfatara (plural solfataras or solfatare)

1. An area of volcanic activity that gives off sulfurous steam. [from 18th c.]
   • 2004, Richard Fortey, The Earth, Folio Society 2011, p. 24:

     Holmes calls these active vents solfataras, so evidently we are at the type locality for this kind of thing.

   • 2000, Tony Waltham, Geyser watching, Geology Today Vol. 16, Iss. 3, p. 97:

     Vents that produce steam alone are fumaroles, or solfataras if laden with sulphur; impressive, but rarely exciting, they are more common on drier volcanoes than in hydrothermal basins.

Etymology

From Latin solfatara

Noun

solfatara f (plural solfatares)

1. (volcanology) solfatara

Noun

solfatara f (plural solfatare)

1. Alternative spelling of zolfatara