Fieldwork in Centralia

Ashley and Keara are in the field this week, collecting soil samples above the Centralia coalmine fire. Can you see the steam escaping from this active vent? The surface temperature at this vent was 54 degrees Celsius (129 Fahrenheit), and it was previously much hotter, as evidenced by the terracotta "kiln" color of the surrounding soil. More photos from this ShadeLab field adventure are posted here.