The Amazing World of Volcanoes
The definition of a volcano is an opening in the crust of the earth where gases and molten lava are ejected. Many mountains are formed from volcanoes and many mountains around the world are dormant volcanoes. Dormant means the volcano has no activity (sort of like it is sleeping). There are over 500 active volcanoes around the world today and luckily science is becoming more precise in predicting volcanic eruptions. Volcanologists (scientists that study volcanoes) study the history of volcanoes and with proper monitoring instruments (such as seismometers and tiltmeters) they collect data. Through the monitoring and process of this data they have a great success rate in predicting when a volcano is going to erupt.
PBS.org: Can We Predict Eruptions?
Predicting Volcanic Eruptions: More about the instruments used in predicting eruptions.
Volcanoes.com: Breathtaking photos, information and more about volcanoes from all over the world.
Volcano Map: Find volcanoes by their regions all over the world.
Famous Volcanoes
Jan Mayen Volcano: A volcano near Iceland that is located below a glacier.
Mauna Loa: The world’s biggest volcano located in Hawaii.
Mount Rainier: Largest volcano in the Cascades.
Kilauea: Information on what could be the world’s most active volcano.
Mt. Mazama: The volcano that formed Crater Lake in Oregon.
Mt. Vesuvius: The volcano that buried Pompeii in Italy.
Mt. Fuji: One of the most climbed volcanic mountains in the world, a symbol of Japan.
Mt. St. Helens: Last volcano to erupt in the US in the year 1980.
Volcano Fun Facts
-Almost 20% of the world’s volcanoes are located under water.
-Rock debris shot out from the eruption of Mount St. Helen traveled at 250 miles per hour!
-Most volcanoes are located at the edges of continents or below the sea forming mountain ranges.
-It is said that one of the largest eruptions on earth happened in Colorado over 26 million years ago. When the volcano erupted its top collapsed forming the largest Caldera in the world.
-The largest volcano found in the universe is called the Olympus Mons .It is located on Mars but is now extinct.
-In the course of a one year, 20 to 30 volcanoes will erupt around the world.
How do Volcanoes Erupt?
Deep within the earths crust the temperature is hot enough to melt rock. When rocks melt they turn into a substance known as magma. When magma is formed it is lighter then the rocks surrounding it and it begins to rise. Once enough pressure has built up inside the volcano, gasses and magma push out over the top and an eruption occurs. You can simulate a volcanic eruption by making your own volcano!
What you will need:
A plastic bottle
Dirt, Clay, Playdough or paper mache
Baking soda
Warm water
Dishwashing liquid
Vinegar
Food coloring
Steps:
- Take your bottle and build a volcano around it, this can be done outside or indoors, but be sure to place it on top of old news papers because it will get messy!
- Once the volcano shape is made pour in a cup of warm water into the bottle.
- Add one tablespoon of dishwashing liquid.
- Add ¼ cup of baking soda.
- Add a few drops of food coloring.
- Once the mixture is in you are ready to add the explosive agent, vinegar. As soon as you pour in the vinegar watch out, your explosion will not be far behind!
National Geographic: Watch breath taking video of real volcanoes spewing molten lava.
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