Volcanoes
A volcano is an open mountain that leads downward to a pool of molten rock, also known as magma, that is found below the earth. A volcano is a mountain or hill, that has a crater or vent through which lava, rock fragments, hot vapor, and gas are or have been erupted from the earth's crust. Volcanos can be active- Eruptions can occur at anytime and they do often, Dormant- it has been inactive for a fair amount of time but could still erupt at anytime, or Extint- it hasnt erupted for a very long time so it is assumed it will no longer erupt and are now basically just a mountain that has a crater on top of it. Volcanoes can cause much damage to the lands and people around them when they erupt.
- Buildings and houses are destroyed leaving many homeless.
- Many people loose their life.
- Ash clouds cover plants making them inedible and therefore leaving no food for animals.
- Poisonous gases kill people and animals.
- All those who survive have the chance of getting ill from the dust left behind.
- Dark skies, heavy rains and severe winds follow for months after the event of a volcano.
Aswell as these consequences, volcanoes can also lead to other catistrophic events such as tsunamis, flash floods, earthquakes, mud flows and rock falls.
- Buildings and houses are destroyed leaving many homeless.
- Many people loose their life.
- Ash clouds cover plants making them inedible and therefore leaving no food for animals.
- Poisonous gases kill people and animals.
- All those who survive have the chance of getting ill from the dust left behind.
- Dark skies, heavy rains and severe winds follow for months after the event of a volcano.
Aswell as these consequences, volcanoes can also lead to other catistrophic events such as tsunamis, flash floods, earthquakes, mud flows and rock falls.
Facts
-There are around 1510 'active' volcanoes in the world. We currently know of 80 or more which are under the oceans.
-Magma is found within a volcano when it is underground however once it is erupted it becomes lava.
- One in 10 people in the world live within 'danger range' of an active volcano.
- The largest volcano on Earth is Hawaii's Mauna Loa. Mauna Loa is around 10 km tall from the sea floor to its tip; however it only rises 4 km above sea level.
- Scientists have estimated that at least 200,000 people have lost their lives as a result of volcanic eruptions over the last 500 years.
- Volcanic rock 'pumice' is the only rock that is able to float in water. It is usually grey and full of bubbly holes, which form when hot gases vent out of as the rock is cooling.
- Volcanoes can grow. As lava and ash accumulate, they add layers and height to
the volcanic surface.
- The danger area around a volcano covers about a 32 km radius.
- Some volcano eruptions have knocked down an entire forest.
-Magma is found within a volcano when it is underground however once it is erupted it becomes lava.
- One in 10 people in the world live within 'danger range' of an active volcano.
- The largest volcano on Earth is Hawaii's Mauna Loa. Mauna Loa is around 10 km tall from the sea floor to its tip; however it only rises 4 km above sea level.
- Scientists have estimated that at least 200,000 people have lost their lives as a result of volcanic eruptions over the last 500 years.
- Volcanic rock 'pumice' is the only rock that is able to float in water. It is usually grey and full of bubbly holes, which form when hot gases vent out of as the rock is cooling.
- Volcanoes can grow. As lava and ash accumulate, they add layers and height to
the volcanic surface.
- The danger area around a volcano covers about a 32 km radius.
- Some volcano eruptions have knocked down an entire forest.