Final answer:
The formation of native sulfur near volcanic vents is an example of precipitation that takes place directly from a gas.
Step-by-step explanation:
The formation of native sulfur near volcanic vents is an example of precipitation that takes place directly from a gas. When volcanic gases, which include sulfur dioxide (SO₂), cool near the Earth's surface, sulfur can directly precipitate out of the gaseous phase. This process does not involve a solution becoming undersaturated, nor does it require the involvement of living organisms, thereby excluding biomineralization.
In more detail, as volcanic gases containing sulfur dioxide cool, the sulfur compounds may undergo a series of chemical transformations and eventually pure sulfur may precipitate out near the vent areas. This is a significant natural process that contributes to the sulfur cycle, which is also influenced by other factors such as rock weathering, atmospheric fallout, and the decomposition of living organisms.