Earth's upper mantle works its way to the surface.

Volcanoes At the surface, it erupts to form lava flows and ash

deposits. Over time as the volcano continues to
 (Volcanoes are not associated with weather, but instead are natural erupt, it will get bigger and bigger.
disasters.)

What are the different stages of volcanoes?

What is a volcano?
Scientists have categorized volcanoes into three
A volcano is a mountain that opens downward to a
main categories: active, dormant, and extinct. An
pool of molten rock below the surface of the earth.
active volcano is one which has recently erupted and
When pressure builds up, eruptions occur. Gases and
there is a possibility that it may erupt soon. A
rock shoot up through the opening and spill over or
dormant volcano is one which has not erupted in a
fill the air with lava fragments. Eruptions can cause
long time but there is a possibility it can erupt in the
lateral blasts, lava flows, hot ash flows, mudslides,
future. An extinct volcano is one which has erupted
avalanches, falling ash and floods. Volcano eruptions
thousands of years ago and there’s no possibility of
have been known to knock down entire forests. An
eruption.
erupting volcano can trigger tsunamis, flash floods,
earthquakes, mudflows and rockfalls.
Why do volcanoes erupt?
The Earth's crust is made up of huge slabs called
plates, which fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. These
plates sometimes move. The friction causes
earthquakes and volcanic eruptions near the edges
of the plates. The theory that explains this process
 to learn more about volcanoes from USGS.
is called plate tectonics.
How are volcanoes formed?
Volcanoes are formed when magma from within the

What are plate tectonics?
The theory of plate tectonics is a interesting story
of continents drifting from place to place breaking
apart, colliding, and grinding against each other. The
plate tectonic theory is supported by a wide range
of evidence that considers the earth's crust and
upper mantle to be composed of several large, thin,
relatively rigid plates that move relative to one
another. The plates are all moving in different
directions and at different speeds. Sometimes the
plates crash together, pull apart or sideswipe each
other. When this happens, it commonly results in
earthquakes.
Continental Drift: To see this animation again, just
refresh this page! This animation shows you what
our planet looked like millions of years ago and what
it looks like now! (Graphic Credit: Geology
Department at University of California, Berkeley)
 to learn more about plate tectonics and the drifting
of our continents.
How many volcanoes are there?
There are more than 1500 active volcanoes on the
Earth. We currently know of 80 or more which are
under the oceans. Active volcanoes in the U.S. are
found mainly in Hawaii, Alaska, California, Oregon
and Washington. long gentle slopes made by basaltic lava
flows. Basalt lava flows from these
Volcanoes volcanoes are called flood basalts. The
volcanoes that formed the basalt of the
Columbia Plateau were shield volcanoes.
Lava domes are formed when erupting
What are the different types of volcanoes? lava is too thick to flow and makes a
Volcanoes are grouped into four types: cinder cones, steep-sided mound as the lava piles up
composite volcanoes, shield volcanoes and lava Lava near the volcanic vent. The eruption of
volcanoes. Volcanoes Mount St. Helens in 1980 was caused in
part by a lava dome shifting to allow
Cinder cones are circular or oval cones
explosive gas and steam to escape from
made up of small fragments of lava from
Cinder inside the mountain. 
a single vent that have been blown into
Cones
the air, cooled and fallen around the
What is the difference between lava and magma?
vent.
Magma is liquid rock inside a volcano. Lava is liquid
Composite volcanoes are steep-sided
rock (magma) that flows out of a volcano. Fresh lava
volcanoes composed of many layers of
glows red hot to white hot as it flows.
volcanic rocks, usually made from high-
Composite
viscosity lava, ash and rock debris. Mt.
Volcanoes
Rainier and Mount St. Helens are
examples of this type of volcano.
Shield volcanoes are volcanoes shaped
Shield like a bowl or shield in the middle with
Why does lava take a long time to cool down?
Lava cools slowly because lava is a poor conductor of
heat. Lava flows slow down and thicken as they
harden.
What is a pyroclastic flow?
A pyroclastic flow is a fluidized mixture of solid to
semi-solid fragments and hot, expanding gases that
flows down the sides of a volcano. These awesome
features are heavier-than-air emulsions that move
much like a snow avalanche, except that they are
fiercely hot, contain toxic gases, and move at
phenomenal, hurricane-force speeds. They are the
most deadly of all volcanic phenomena.
What is lahar?
A lahar is a type of mudflow or debris flow
composed of pyroclastic material, rocky debris, and
water. The material flows down from a volcano,
typically along a river valley. It is very dangerous
because it's consistency and the way it acts is very
much like cement. It is liquid when it's moving, but
when it stops, it solidifies. This can cause just as
much devastation as lava itself.
What is pumice?
Pumice is a light, porous volcanic rock that forms
during explosive eruptions. It resembles a sponge
because it consists of a network of gas bubbles
frozen amidst fragile volcanic glass and minerals. All
types of magma (basalt, andesite, dacite, and
rhyolite) will form pumice.

What is the Ring of Fire?

What is the largest active volcano?
The world's largest, active volcano is Mauna Loa in
Hawaii, where famous coffee is grown in the rich
volcanic soils. Mauna Loa is 13,677 feet above sea
level. From its base below sea level to its summit,
Mauna Loa is taller than Mount Everest.
The Pacific Ring of Fire is an area of frequent
earthquakes and volcanic eruptions encircling the
basin of the Pacific Ocean. The Ring of Fire has 452
volcanoes and is home to over 50% of the world's
active and dormant volcanoes. Ninety percent of the
world's earthquakes and 81% of the world's largest
earthquakes occur along the Ring of Fire.

When did Mount St. Helens erupt?
On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted. It's
located in southwestern Washington State in the
Cascade Range. The blast was heard as far away as
Montana, Idaho, Canada and California. Fifty-seven
people died and the eruption caused $1.2 billion in
damage.
for more info on Mount St. Helens.
What are some other notable volcano eruptions?
Krakatoa was a dormant volcano in Indonesia, which
awakened and produced one of the biggest volcanic
eruptions in 1883. So massive was the eruption that
the sound of it was heard as far away as Australia.
It’s widely reported as the loudest sound heard in
recorded history. The Krakatoa eruption created a
huge amount of ash cloud which covered the Earth
and reduced global temperatures for 5 years! A total
of 40,000 people died in that explosion and an entire
chain of the volcanic island was destroyed. For more
info: 
Mount Pelee was a dormant volcano situated in the of climbers actively scaling the mountain top.
Caribbean island of Martinique. In 1902, it erupted
in a massive horizontal explosion sending huge clouds What is a tsunami?
of ash released towards the nearby town of Saint- A tsunami is a large ocean wave usually caused by an
Pierre. The side of the volcano exploded and lava underwater earthquake or a volcanic explosion.
flowed straight into the town, killing 30,000 people Tsunamis are NOT tidal waves. Tidal waves are
in a matter of minutes. It is regarded as one of the caused by the forces of the moon, sun, and planets
biggest and most devastating volcanic eruptions of upon the tides, as well as the wind as it moves over
the 20th century, a benchmark for future eruptions. the water. With typical waves, water flows in circles,
but with a tsunami, water flows straight. This is why
Mount Fujiyama, also popularly known as Mount Fuji, tsunamis cause so much damage!
is an active volcano which last erupted in 1708. It is
incidentally the tallest mountain in Japan. If you are
visiting Tokyo, the capital of Japan, look in the west
on a clear day and you will be able to see Mount Fuji.
It is an iconic volcano. Mount Fuji is 3,776 meters
high and it is snow clad throughout the year, with
five lakes surrounding it. Currently in a state of
dormancy, there has not been any eruption reported
for more than 300 years. The last known eruption
lasted for about 3 weeks during which it covered the
surrounding villages with ash and cinders. Mount Fuji
is now a popular tourist location with a large number

to see an animation of an earthquake and the
resulting tsunami. It's great for kids, because they
get to see how it actually happens!
 to get the latest tsunami warning information from
the NWS.
 Know the Lingo 
MAGMA - Magma is the liquid rock inside a volcano.
LAVA - Lava is the liquid rock (magma) that flows
out of a volcano. Lava glows red hot to white hot as
it flows.
ACTIVE VOLCANO - An active volcano is one that
erupts regularly.
DORMANT VOLCANO - A dormant volcano is one
that has not erupted for many years, although there
is still some activity deep inside.
EXTINCT VOLCANO - An extinct volcano is a
volcano that is no longer active.
GEYSERS - Geysers are springs that throw boiling
water high in the air. They are caused by volcanic
heat warming trapped ground water.
ASH - Ash are very small fragments of lava or rock
blasted into the air by volcanic explosions.
PUMICE - It is a light-colored volcanic rock
containing lots of bubbles from trapped gases.
 to see if there has been any recent volcanic activity
across the U.S.
river valleys downstream of the volcano. If your
caught indoors, close all windows and doors, put
machinery inside a barn, and bring animals inside. If
you’re trapped outdoors, seek shelter indoors. If
you’re caught in falling rocks, roll into a ball and
protect your head. If you’re caught near a stream,
be aware of mudflows and move to higher ground.
Protect yourself when ash falls by wearing long-

 Volcano Safety Tips  sleeved shirts and long pants. Use goggles to protect
your eyes. Wear a dust mask and keep car engines
PLAN FOR A VOLCANO: First of all, have a
off.
disaster plan and know whether or not you are at
risk for danger. Be prepared for mudslides, flash
AFTER A VOLCANO: Cover you mouth and nose.
floods, earthquakes, ash falling, acid rain and
Volcanic ash can irritate your respiratory system.
tsunamis. Prepare a disaster supplies kit for your
Wear goggles and protect your eyes. Keep your skin
home and car. Include a first aid kit, canned food
covered. Clear roofs of ash, because the ash is very
and a can opener, bottled water, battery-operated
heavy and can cause the building to collapse.
radio, flashlight, protective clothing, dust mask,
goggles and sturdy shoes. Don't forget, know all of
your evacuation routes.

DURING A VOLCANO: Follow the evacuation order

issued by authorities. Avoid areas downwind and
How Volcanoes Are Formed?
Metamorphism
 sound like--hot areas inside of Earth. These areas
Magma can rise when pieces of Earth's crust called heat up magma. The magma becomes less dense.
tectonic plates slowly move away from each other. When it is less dense it rises. Each of the reasons
The magma rises up to fill in the space. When this for rising magma are a bit different, but each can
happens underwater volcanoes can form. form volcanoes.
Magma also rises when these tectonic plates move
toward each other. When this happens, part of
Earth's crust can be forced deep into its interior.
The high heat and pressure cause the crust to melt
and rise as magma. A final way that magma rises is
over hot spots. Hot spots are exactly what they
The Three Main Types of
Volcanoes

The Ring of Fire

The Ring of Fire is the largest and most active fault line in the world,
stretching from New Zealand, around the east coast of Asia, over to
Canada and the USA and all the way down to the southern tip of
South America and causes more than 90 percent of the world’s
earthquakes. The plates which make up the Ring of Fire are so huge
even the slightest shift results in massive tremors, volcano activity
and tsunamis. In total, 452 volcanoes sit upon the Ring of Fire and
seismologists state it is impossible to predict when a volcano will
erupt. But here are the five most dangerous volcanoes on the fault
line which continue to pose a threat to humanity through 2020 and
beyond.