Return of the ‘Hope Ranch Volcano’: Smoke plumes spotted rising from seaside cliffs

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) – Large plumes of smoke have been spotted coming from the seaside cliffs in the Hope Ranch area Thursday.

Santa Barbara County Fire Department confirmed that a fire engine and a battalion chief from the Santa Barbara City Fire Department are on the scene and flames have spread to nearby vegetation.

The Santa Barbara County Fire Department confirmed that crews were first called to the scene around 10:26 a.m. Thursday for what it characterizes as a geological event.

The area is known for the 'Hope Ranch Volcano', as locals sometimes refer to the natural phenomenon, which has emitted smoke and even sparked fires multiple times in the past and is known as a sulfaterra.

Sulfaterras, which is the name given to accumulated sulfur compounds on the surface of such geological phenomena, can often emit a mix of sulfur aerosols and water vapor.

Local residents may see or smell smoke in the area and those with respiratory illness should take caution.