The wonders of volcanoEs
Volcanoes are one of the natural disasters that millions fear yet they are one of the most incredible things the earth holds.
Although they look out of place, volcanoes are one of the most natural things you could find. They can only be made on the edge of a plate boundary. The plates are one of the things that sustain the planet and there are lots of them. When the plates move the edges move too which can create a volcano. The process doesn't happen overnight - it takes an extremely long time so don't worry you won't wake up tomorrow and see a volcano outside your window.
Volcanoes form when magma reaches the Earth's surface, causing eruptions of lava and ash. They occur at destructive (compressional) and constructive (tensional) plate boundaries.
The immediate effects of volcanic eruptions can be devastating, but they may be beneficial in the long term.
Key facts
The formation of volcanoes
Although they look out of place, volcanoes are one of the most natural things you could find. They can only be made on the edge of a plate boundary. The plates are one of the things that sustain the planet and there are lots of them. When the plates move the edges move too which can create a volcano. The process doesn't happen overnight - it takes an extremely long time so don't worry you won't wake up tomorrow and see a volcano outside your window.
Volcanoes form when magma reaches the Earth's surface, causing eruptions of lava and ash. They occur at destructive (compressional) and constructive (tensional) plate boundaries.
The immediate effects of volcanic eruptions can be devastating, but they may be beneficial in the long term.
Key facts
- A volcano is formed by eruptions of lava and ash.
- Volcanoes are usually cone shaped mountains or hills.
- When magma reaches the Earth's surface it is called lava. When the lava cools, it forms rock.
- Volcanic eruptions can happen at destructive and constructive boundaries, but not at conservative boundaries.
- Some volcanoes happen underwater, along the seabed or ocean floor.
The formation of volcanoes
- Magma rises through cracks or weaknesses in the Earth's crust.
- Pressure builds up inside the Earth.
- When this pressure is released, eg as a result of plate movement, magma explodes to the surface causing a volcanic eruption.
- The lava from the eruption cools to form new crust.
- Over time, after several eruptions, the rock builds up and a volcano forms.