N A TUREÊS What Are Volcanoes What Are Volcanoes Avolcano is a hill or mountain where molten rock spurts to A spectacular fountain of lava shooting from a volcano on the island of Bali in Indonesia the surface from deep underground Aboveground the magma is known as lava A volcano is made up of lava that has cooled and solidified together with cinders and ash Volcanic eruptions are among the most violent and spectacular natural events on earth Accompanied by red-hot rivers of lava towering clouds of ash and thick flows of mud they can devastate the landscape and people’s lives Volcanoes have been erupting since the earth was formed 4 5 billion years ago Today about 25 volcanoes around the world erupt every year on land Some of these active volcanoes erupt almost all the time Others may erupt only once every few hundred years Some volcanoes erupt with giant explosions Others erupt more gently producing fizzing lava fountains Volcanoes and the landscape Much of earth’s surface is made up of rocks that have come from volcanoes Volcanoes create and build mountains and islands but they can also be destructive They cover the landscape with lava ash and mud burning and burying plants and destroying animal habitats Houses villages and towns may also be buried or burned In the past eruptions have killed thousands of people 4
Volcano!
Take an in-depth look at volcanoes, their causes, and their effects on people and landscapes.
About This Book
By: Anita Ganeri
Illustrated by:
Published by: Arcturus Publishing provided by Britannica
