Background

A volcano is an opening in the earth's surface through which molten lava, hot gases and other pyroclasts erupt, often forming a more or less conical hill or mountain with a crater. Vulcanicity refers to the processes by which magma and associated volatiles from the earth rise into the lithosphere or are thrown out onto the earth's surface.

The word volcano comes from the word Vulcan, which is the name ancient Romans gave to the god of fire. Volcanic eruptions are spectacular sights. Huge fiery clouds often rise over the mountains while glowing lava flows down its sides. In other eruptions, ash and cinders are spewed out of the volcano and large chunks of rocks are blasted into the air. Some violent eruptions often blow the mountain apart.

• Origins
• Formation of a Volcano
• Classifying Volcanic Activity
• Volcanic Distributions
• Kinds of Volcanic Materials
• Types of Volcanoes
• Types of Eruptions
• Eruption of a Volcano
• Volcanic Features
• Dangers posed by Volcanoes
• Benefits
• Volcanic Studies
• Volcanic Predictions
• Case Study-Mount Pinatubo

This page was created by Tharani Anandarajan for the Thinkquest Internet Challenge 2000.

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