Question 1

What is a volcano?

Accepted Answer

A volcano is a mountain that has a hole at the top where hot melted rock, ash, and gases come out from deep inside the Earth. Sometimes it looks like a big fire mountain when it erupts!

Question 2

Why do volcanoes erupt?

Accepted Answer

Volcanoes erupt because there is a lot of pressure inside the Earth pushing on the melted rock, called magma. When the pressure gets too strong, the magma bursts out of the volcano.

Question 3

What happens during a volcanic eruption?

Accepted Answer

During an eruption, hot melted rock, ash, and gases explode out of the volcano. It can look like smoke and fire coming out of the top of a mountain!

Question 4

Are all volcanic eruptions the same?

Accepted Answer

No, they are not all the same. Some eruptions are really big with lots of lava and ash, and others are smaller with just a little bit of lava and steam.

Question 5

What is lava?

Accepted Answer

Lava is the melted rock that comes out of a volcano. When it cools down, it hardens and becomes new rock.

Question 6

How do volcanoes change the land?

Accepted Answer

Volcanoes can change the land by making new mountains and islands when the lava hardens. They can also cover the land with ash and lava, changing how it looks.

Question 7

Why do some animals live near volcanoes?

Accepted Answer

Some animals live near volcanoes because the soil there can be very rich and good for plants. When there are lots of plants, animals have plenty to eat.

Question 8

Can a volcanic eruption be dangerous?

Accepted Answer

Yes, volcanic eruptions can be very dangerous. The ash, hot lava, and gases can harm people and animals, and destroy homes and land.

Question 9

What are volcanic ashes?

Accepted Answer

Volcanic ash is made of tiny pieces of rock and glass from a volcano. It can fly high up into the sky and fall like dusty rain.

Question 10

Can volcanoes affect the weather?

Accepted Answer

Yes, volcanoes can change the weather. Ash and gases can spread worldwide and block sunlight, making the air cooler.

Question 11

Why are some volcanoes always active?

Accepted Answer

Some volcanoes are always active because there's a lot of magma moving around underneath them. This keeps causing eruptions.

Question 12

What are dormant volcanoes?

Accepted Answer

Dormant volcanoes are volcanoes that haven't erupted for a long time. They are like sleeping volcanoes but might erupt again someday.

Question 13

Are volcanoes only found on land?

Accepted Answer

No, volcanoes aren't just on land. There are many underwater volcanoes in the oceans and they can erupt too!

Question 14

What do scientists use to study volcanoes?

Accepted Answer

Scientists use special tools like seismographs to feel tiny shakes in the Earth. They also use satellites and cameras to watch volcanoes closely.

Question 15

How are islands formed by volcanoes?

Accepted Answer

Islands are formed when underwater volcanoes erupt and lava builds up, layer by layer, until it rises above the ocean surface.

Question 16

Why do people live near volcanoes?

Accepted Answer

People live near volcanoes because the soil is often very good for farming and the scenery is beautiful. Sometimes people take the risk for these benefits.

Question 17

What is inside a volcano?

Accepted Answer

Inside a volcano is a lot of hot melted rock called magma. This magma can sometimes come up through a volcano and erupt out the top.

Question 18

How can we stay safe during a volcanic eruption?

Accepted Answer

To stay safe during an eruption, listen to warnings from experts and stay away from the volcano. Sometimes people need to leave the area until it's safe again.

Question 19

Can new volcanoes be created?

Accepted Answer

Yes, new volcanoes can form when there's enough magma pushing up from inside the Earth. This can create new mountains over time.

Question 20

Do volcanoes exist on other planets?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there are volcanoes on other planets too. For example, Mars has the biggest volcano in the solar system called Olympus Mons.

The Secrets of Volcanoes: Eruptions and Ecosystem Changes - 20 FAQs Explained Simply