Question 1

What is a volcano?

Accepted Answer

A volcano is a mountain that has a hole at the top. Sometimes, hot, melted rock called lava comes out of the hole.

Question 2

Why do volcanoes erupt?

Accepted Answer

Volcanoes erupt because there's a lot of pressure pushing on the melted rock under the ground. When the pressure is too much, the rock bursts out of the volcano.

Question 3

What is lava?

Accepted Answer

Lava is very hot, melted rock that comes out of a volcano during an eruption. It glows orange or red and is runny at first, but it cools and hardens into rock.

Question 4

Where are volcanoes found?

Accepted Answer

Volcanoes are found all over the world, but many are located around the edges of oceans. One famous area with lots of volcanoes is called the 'Ring of Fire,' around the Pacific Ocean.

Question 5

Are volcanoes dangerous?

Accepted Answer

Yes, volcanoes can be dangerous. When they erupt, they can send out lava, ash, and gases that can hurt people, animals, and buildings.

Question 6

Can we predict when a volcano will erupt?

Accepted Answer

Scientists can sometimes predict when a volcano will erupt by watching for clues, like small earthquakes or gas coming out of the ground. But it's not always easy to know for sure.

Question 7

What is ash from a volcano?

Accepted Answer

Ash from a volcano is tiny, powder-like pieces of rock that get thrown into the air during an eruption. It looks like smoke but can settle down and cover everything like snow.

Question 8

Why do some volcanoes explode?

Accepted Answer

Some volcanoes explode because of the gas trapped in the magma. When the pressure is too high, it's like shaking a soda bottle and opening it—it bursts out quickly.

Question 9

What is magma?

Accepted Answer

Magma is melted rock that is found under the Earth's surface. When it comes out of a volcano during an eruption, we call it lava.

Question 10

How are volcanoes formed?

Accepted Answer

Volcanoes form when magma from inside the Earth pushes up and makes a mountain. Over many years, eruptions add more layers and make the volcano bigger.

Question 11

What are the different types of volcanoes?

Accepted Answer

There are a few types of volcanoes, like shield volcanoes, which have gentle slopes, and stratovolcanoes, which are steep and tall. Each kind erupts differently.

Question 12

What happens to lava after it erupts?

Accepted Answer

After lava erupts and flows out of a volcano, it spreads out and begins to cool down. Once it cools, it hardens and becomes rock.

Question 13

Can plants grow on lava?

Accepted Answer

Yes, after a long time, plants can grow on hardened lava. The lava breaks down into soil that plants can use to grow.

Question 14

What is a dormant volcano?

Accepted Answer

A dormant volcano is one that hasn't erupted in a long time but might erupt again someday. It's like a volcano that's sleeping.

Question 15

What is an extinct volcano?

Accepted Answer

An extinct volcano is a volcano that will probably never erupt again. It's like a volcano that's retired.

Question 16

How hot is lava?

Accepted Answer

Lava is very, very hot, often over 1,300 degrees Fahrenheit (700 degrees Celsius). That's hot enough to melt rocks and metal!

Question 17

What are volcanic gases?

Accepted Answer

Volcanic gases are gases that come out of a volcano during an eruption. They can include steam, carbon dioxide, and sulfur gases, which can sometimes smell like rotten eggs.

Question 18

Do volcanoes affect the weather?

Accepted Answer

Yes, when a volcano erupts, it can send dust and gases high into the sky. This can block the sunlight and sometimes make the Earth cooler.

Question 19

Why are some volcanoes underwater?

Accepted Answer

Some volcanoes are underwater because they form at the bottom of the ocean. Lava erupts from these volcanoes and can create new islands over time.

Question 20

What is a volcanic island?

Accepted Answer

A volcanic island is an island formed from lava that erupts and builds up in the ocean. Hawaii is a group of islands made from volcanoes!

The Mystery of Volcanoes - 20 FAQs Explained Simply