Question 1

What is a volcano?

Accepted Answer

A volcano is a mountain that can erupt with hot lava, ash, and gases. It's like a big chimney connecting the Earth's surface to a pool of molten rock underground.

Question 2

Why do volcanoes erupt?

Accepted Answer

Volcanoes erupt because pressure builds up from molten rock called magma under the surface. When the pressure becomes too much, the magma bursts through cracks in the Earth's crust.

Question 3

What is lava?

Accepted Answer

Lava is really hot, melted rock that flows out of a volcano during an eruption. Once it cools down, it hardens into new rock.

Question 4

What is magma?

Accepted Answer

Magma is melted rock located beneath the Earth's surface. It becomes lava when it erupts from a volcano.

Question 5

Where do volcanoes usually form?

Accepted Answer

Most volcanoes form along the edges of tectonic plates, which are huge slabs of rock that make up Earth's surface. Some also form over places called 'hotspots' in the middle of plates.

Question 6

What are tectonic plates?

Accepted Answer

Tectonic plates are big pieces of the Earth’s crust that slowly move around. When they bump into or move away from each other, volcanoes and earthquakes can happen.

Question 7

What happens during a volcanic eruption?

Accepted Answer

During an eruption, hot lava, ash, and gases come out of the volcano. This can make loud noises, and the sky might get dark from all the ash.

Question 8

What is ash from a volcano?

Accepted Answer

Volcanic ash is tiny bits of rock and glass that explode out of a volcano. It can fly into the air and cover everything like a blanket.

Question 9

Are all volcanoes the same?

Accepted Answer

No, there are different types of volcanoes like shield, cinder cone, and composite volcanoes. They look different and erupt in different ways.

Question 10

What is a dormant volcano?

Accepted Answer

A dormant volcano is one that hasn’t erupted in a long time, but it could possibly erupt again in the future. It’s like it's just sleeping.

Question 11

Can all volcanoes erupt explosively?

Accepted Answer

Not all volcanoes erupt explosively. Some have slow, gentle flows of lava, while others can explosively shoot ash and rock high into the sky.

Question 12

What is a volcano’s crater?

Accepted Answer

A crater is a bowl-shaped opening at the top of a volcano. It's where the magma comes out during an eruption.

Question 13

What effects do volcanic eruptions have on the environment?

Accepted Answer

Volcanic eruptions can change the land, destroy plants, and make it hard to breathe because of ash and gases. However, over time, they can also make the soil rich and good for growing plants.

Question 14

What is a caldera?

Accepted Answer

A caldera is a big hole that forms when a volcano collapses after an eruption. It's much larger than a typical crater.

Question 15

How do scientists know a volcano is going to erupt?

Accepted Answer

Scientists watch for signs like small earthquakes, changes in gases, and the bulging of the mountain. These help them predict when a volcano might erupt.

Question 16

What is a volcanic hotspot?

Accepted Answer

A hotspot is a really hot area under the Earth’s crust where magma can come out and form volcanoes. The Hawaiian Islands are an example of volcanoes that formed over a hotspot.

Question 17

Is it safe to live near a volcano?

Accepted Answer

Living near a volcano can be risky because eruptions can happen suddenly. However, many people live near them because the soil is great for farming.

Question 18

What are pyroclastic flows?

Accepted Answer

Pyroclastic flows are fast-moving clouds of ash, rock, and hot gases. They can rush down the side of a volcano and are very dangerous.

Question 19

Do volcanoes exist only on land?

Accepted Answer

No, volcanoes are also under the ocean. These underwater volcanoes can build mountains and islands under the water.

Question 20

Can animals sense when a volcano is about to erupt?

Accepted Answer

Some animals seem to act strangely before a volcano erupts, possibly because they sense vibrations or changes in the air. It's like they have a special sense for danger.

The Science of Volcanic Eruptions - 20 FAQs Explained Simply