USGS: Don't roast marshmallows over Hawaii volcano vents

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is very serious about updating the public on the activity and spreading danger of Hawaii's Kilauea volcano, but it's not afraid to field some goofy questions, too.

Twitter user Jay Furr got in touch with the USGS volcano crew to ask the pressing question, "Is it safe to roast marshmallows over volcanic vents?" Furr has been thinking this one through, adding the caveat, "assuming you had a long enough stick."

The USGS responded, politely asking that people not try this culinary stunt due to the terrible taste and chance of a "spectacular reaction." The hazardous gases emitted from the vents are reason enough to stay far, far away.

• Capturing the irresistible, horrifying beauty of Kilauea volcano
  

The "vog" the USGS references in the tweet is a type of volcanic smog from "gas, tiny particles and acidic droplets created when sulfur dioxide and other gases emitted from a volcano chemically interact with sunlight and atmospheric oxygen, moisture, and dust."

Furr was willing to accept the ban on roasting marshmallows, but wasn't entirely dissuaded from his cooking-with-lava fantasies.

The marshmallow and hot dog discussion brings a little bit of levity to what has been a serious ongoing event. The Kilauea volcano's most recent eruption began on May 3 and has spread through lava fissures, destroying buildings and forcing evacuations along the way.

NASA satellites and astronauts on board the International Space Station have witnessed the eruption from afar.

The USGS warned this week about vigorous lava eruptions, lava fountaining and volcanic gas emissions. The agency doesn't know how long this current eruption will last.

This article originally appeared on CNET.

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• United States Geological Survey