Fascinating Facts About Volcanoes

What is a Volcano?

• A volcano is an opening in the Earth’s surface through which magma, gas, and ash erupt.
• The term “volcano” originates from the Roman god of fire, Vulcan.

Where Do Volcanoes Form?

• Volcanoes are commonly found on tectonic plate boundaries.
• They can also form over mantle plumes, which are hot areas of rock within the Earth.
• The majority of volcanoes are underwater, with the Ring of Fire in the Pacific Ocean hosting 90% of Earth’s volcanoes.

Types of Volcanoes

• Volcanoes are classified as active, dormant, or extinct based on their activity level.
• The shape and size of a volcano depend on the type, amount, and thickness of lava erupted.

Magma and Lava

• Magma is hot liquid rock inside a volcano.
• When magma erupts to the surface, it’s called lava.
• Lava can reach temperatures as high as 1,250℃ and can flow great distances depending on its viscosity.

Volcanoes and Their Impact

• Approximately 1,900 volcanoes on Earth are active.
• Millions of people live within the danger zones of active volcanoes.
• Volcanic ash can enrich soil, making it fertile for agriculture.
• Volcanoes can cause significant damage, including tsunamis, floods, earthquakes, pyroclastic flows, mudflows, lava flows, ash, avalanches, and poisonous gas.

Famous Volcanic Events

• Mount Vesuvius’ eruption in 79 AD buried the city of Pompeii in ash.
• Krakatoa’s eruption in 1883 was the loudest sound ever recorded.
• Mount Pinatubo’s eruption in 1991 caused a global temperature decrease.

Learn More About Volcanoes

Enroll in our science holiday camps or science classes to explore the wonders of volcanoes and earth science!