Definition
A cone-shaped mountain or hill created by molten material that rises from inside the Earth to the surface.
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Examples of volcanoes |
How are volcanoes formed?The Earth's crust is made up of huge slabs called plates, which fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. These plates sometimes move.
Between the Earth's crust and the mantle is a substance called magma, which is made of rock and gases. A volcano is a vent that lets the magma squeeze through. Characteristics and Features |
Karymsky volcano in Russia
Mount Fuji in Japan Capulin volcano in New Mexico--last erupted over 58,000 years ago! |
- usually form where tectonic plates come together
- are usually in the shape of a mountain
- are vents in which magma comes out
- lava flows down the side of the volcano
Fun Facts
- The word volcano comes from a god of fire in Roman mythology, Vulcan.
- There are over 1,500 ACTIVE volcanoes in the world.
- Volcanoes can be active, dormant or extinct.
- Over half of the world’s volcanoes arise in a belt around the Pacific Ocean called the Ring of Fire.
- Once magma comes to the surface, it is called lava.
- Hawaii is made up of 5 volcanoes.