Volcanoes are named after Vulcan, the Roman god of fire. The Romans thought Vulcan was a blacksmith who made weapons for other gods using the fires that were under an island called Vulcano in the Mediterranean. This island is a volcano.
People who study volcanoes are called vulcanologists. They have searched high and low all over the world for active volcanoes and volcanoes that are now dormant. About 10000 have been found. Since we started studying volcanoes, over 500 eruptions have been described.
Most of the Earth's volcanoes are found along the edges of the large plates that make up the planet's crust. These are weak points in the crust and are the site of a lot of activity. Magma that lies under the crust, sometimes forming large pools and chambers, can force its way out.
The magma that flows down the volcano as lava is a sort of hot liquid and is usually thick. It flows slowly, like cold treacle or honey. Thinner lava can form and be released at very high temperatures and flows much faster. This kind of lava is much more deadly.
People who study volcanoes are called vulcanologists. They have searched high and low all over the world for active volcanoes and volcanoes that are now dormant. About 10000 have been found. Since we started studying volcanoes, over 500 eruptions have been described.
Most of the Earth's volcanoes are found along the edges of the large plates that make up the planet's crust. These are weak points in the crust and are the site of a lot of activity. Magma that lies under the crust, sometimes forming large pools and chambers, can force its way out.
The magma that flows down the volcano as lava is a sort of hot liquid and is usually thick. It flows slowly, like cold treacle or honey. Thinner lava can form and be released at very high temperatures and flows much faster. This kind of lava is much more deadly.