What is a volcano. The structure of the volcano

reservoirs 14.10.2019
reservoirs

A volcanic eruption is a phenomenon that clearly illustrates the power of nature and human helplessness. Volcanoes can be both majestic, deadly, mysterious and at the same time very picturesque and even useful. Today we will analyze in detail the formation and structure of the volcano, as well as get acquainted with many other interesting facts on this topic.

What is a volcano?

Volcano - geological formation, which occurs at the site of a break in the earth's crust and erupts a number of products: lava, ash, combustible gases, rock fragments. When our planet was just beginning to exist, it was almost completely covered with volcanoes. Now on Earth there are several areas in which the main number of volcanoes is concentrated. All of them are located along tectonically active areas and large faults.

Magma and plates

What does the same flammable liquid that erupts from a volcano? It is a mixture of molten rock, with clots of more refractory rocks and gas bubbles. To understand where lava comes from, you need to remember the structure of the earth's crust. Volcanoes should be considered as the last link in a large system.

So, the Earth consists of many different layers, which are grouped into three so-called mega-layers: core, mantle, crust. Humans live on the outer surface of the crust, its thickness can vary from 5 km under the oceans to 70 km under land. It seems that this is a very solid thickness, but if you compare it with the dimensions of the Earth, the crust resembles the skin on an apple.

Under the outer crust is the thickest mega-layer - the mantle. It has a high temperature, but practically does not melt and does not spread, because the pressure inside the planet is very high. Sometimes the mantle does melt, forming magma that pushes its way through the Earth's crust. In 1960, scientists created a revolutionary theory that tectonic plates cover the Earth. According to this theory, the lithosphere - a rigid material consisting of the crust and the upper layer of the mantle, is divided into seven large and several smaller plates. They slowly drift on the surface of the mantle, "lubricated" by the asthenosphere - a soft layer. What happens at the junction of the plates is the main cause of the ejection of magma. In the place where the plates meet, there are several options for their interaction.

Separation of plates from each other

In the place where the two plates parted to the sides, a ridge is formed. This can happen both on land and underwater. The resulting gap is filled with deposits of the asthenosphere. Since the pressure here is low, a solid surface is formed at the same level. Cooling, the risen magma solidifies and creates a crust.

One plate goes under another

If, upon impact of the plates, one of them went under the other and plunged into the mantle, a huge depression forms at this place. As a rule, this can be found at the bottom of the ocean. When the hard edge of the slab is pushed into the mantle, it heats up and melts.

The bark is wrinkled

This happens if, when impacting tectonic plates, none of them finds a place for itself under the other. As a result of this interaction of plates, mountains are formed. Such a process does not imply volcanic activity. Over time, the mountain range, which was formed at the junction of plates crawling to each other, can grow, imperceptibly to humans.

Formation of volcanoes

Most volcanoes form in places where one tectonic plate has sunk under another. When a hard edge melts into magma, it expands in volume. Therefore, the molten rock with great force tends to the top. If the pressure reaches a sufficient level, or the hot mixture finds a crack in the bark, it is ejected to the outside. At the same time, the outflowing magma (or rather, already lava) forms a cone-shaped structure of volcanoes. Which volcano has a structure and how intensely it erupts depends on the composition of the magma and other factors.

Sometimes magma comes out right in the middle of the plate. Excessive activity of magma is due to its overheating. The substance of the mantle gradually melts the well, and creates a hot spot under a certain area of ​​the earth's surface. From time to time, magma breaks through the crust and an eruption occurs. By itself, the hot spot is motionless, which cannot be said about tectonic plates. Therefore, over the millennia, in such places a "line of dead volcanoes" is formed. Similarly, the Hawaiian volcanoes were created, which, according to researchers, are up to 70 million years old. Now let's look at the structure of the volcano. The photo will help us with this.

What is a volcano made of?

As you can see in the photo above, the structure of the volcano is very simple. The main components of a volcano are: hearth, vent, and crater. A hearth is a place where an excess of magma is formed. Up the red-hot magma rises along the vent. Thus, the vent is a channel that unites the hearth and the surface of the earth. It is formed by magma solidifying along the way and narrows as it approaches the surface of the Earth. And finally, a crater is a bowl-shaped depression on the surface of a volcano. The diameter of the crater can reach several kilometers. Thus, the internal structure of the volcano is somewhat more complicated than the external one, but there is nothing special about it.

The force of the eruption

In some volcanoes, magma oozes so slowly that you can safely walk on them. But there are also such volcanoes, the eruption of which in a matter of minutes destroys everything in its path, within a radius of several kilometers. The severity of the eruption is determined by the composition of the magma and the internal pressure of the gases. A very impressive amount of gas dissolves in magma. When the pressure of the rocks begins to exceed the vapor pressure of the gas, it expands and forms bubbles, which are called vesicles. They try to free themselves outside, and blow up the rock. After the eruption, some of the bubbles solidify in magma, resulting in the formation of porous rock, from which pumice is made.

The nature of the eruption also depends on the viscosity of the magma. As you know, viscosity is the ability to resist flow. It is the opposite of fluidity. If the magma has a high viscosity, then it will be difficult for the gas bubbles to get out of it, and they will push up large quantity rocks, which will lead to a strong eruption. When the viscosity of the magma is low, gas is quickly released from it, so the lava is not ejected with such force. Usually the viscosity of magma depends on the content of silicon in it. The gas content of the magma also plays an important role. The larger it is, the stronger the eruption will be. The amount of gas in magma depends on the rocks included in its composition. The structure of volcanoes does not affect the destructive power of the eruption.

The majority of eruptions occur in stages. Each stage has its own degree of destruction. If the viscosity of the magma and the content of gases in it are low, then the lava will slowly flow along the ground with a minimum number of explosions. Shop streams can harm local nature and infrastructure, but due to the low speed of movement, they are not dangerous to people. Otherwise, the volcano intensively ejects magma into the air. The eruption column usually consists of combustible gas, solid volcanic material and ash. At the same time, lava moves rapidly, destroying everything in its path. A cloud forms over the volcano, the diameter of which can reach hundreds of kilometers. These are the consequences that volcanoes can cause.

Types, structure of calderas and shop domes

Hearing about a volcanic eruption, a person immediately imagines a conical mountain, from the top of which orange lava flows. This is a classic diagram of the structure of a volcano. But in fact, such a concept as a volcano describes a much wider range of geological phenomena. Therefore, in principle, any place on the Earth can be called a volcano, where certain rocks are ejected from the inner part of the planet to the outside.

The structure of the volcano, the description of which was given above, is the most common, but not the only one. There are also calderas and shop domes.

The caldera differs from the crater in its enormous size (the diameter can reach several tens of kilometers). Volcanic calderas arise for two reasons: explosive volcanic eruptions, the collapse of rocks into a cavity freed from magma.

Collapse calderas occur in places where a massive lava eruption occurred, as a result of which the magma chamber was completely freed. The shell that formed over this void collapses over time, and a huge crater appears, inside which the birth of a new volcano is quite likely. One of the more famous collapse calderas is the Crater Caldera in Oregon. It was formed 7700 years ago. Its width is about 8 km. Over time, the caldera filled with melt and rain water, forming a picturesque lake.

Explosive calderas form in a slightly different way. A large magma chamber rises to the surface, it cannot seep due to the dense earth's crust. The magma contracts, and when the gases expand due to the pressure drop in the "reservoir", a huge explosion occurs, which entails the formation of a large cavity in the Earth.

As for shop domes, they are formed if there is not enough pressure to break the rocks of the earth. The result is a bulge at the top of the volcano, which can grow over time. This is how interesting the structure of the volcano can be. Pictures of some calderas look more like an oasis than a place where an eruption once occurred - a destructive process for all living things.

How many volcanoes are on Earth?

We already know the structure of volcanoes, now let's talk about how the situation with volcanoes is today. There are over 500 active volcanoes on our planet. Somewhere the same number are considered sleeping. A large number of volcanoes are recognized as dead. This distinction is considered highly subjective. The criterion for determining the activity of a volcano is the date of the last eruption. It is generally accepted that if the last eruption occurred in a historical period (the time when people record events), then the volcano is active. If this happened outside the historical period, but earlier than 10,000 years ago, then the volcano is considered dormant. And, finally, those volcanoes that have not erupted for the last 10,000 years are called extinct.

Of the 500 active volcanoes, 10 erupt daily. Usually, these eruptions are not large enough to endanger human life. However, sometimes large eruptions occur. Over the past two centuries, there have been 19 of them. A little more than 1,000 people died in them.

The benefits of volcanoes

It is hard to believe in this, but such a terrible phenomenon as a volcano can be useful. Volcanic products, thanks to their unique properties finds application in many areas of human activity.

The oldest use of volcanic rock is construction. The famous French cathedral of Clermont-Ferrand is built entirely of dark lava. Basalt, which is part of the igneous material, is often used in paving roads. Small particles of lava are used in the production of concrete and for filtering water. Pumice serves as an excellent sound insulator. Its particles are also part of stationery gum and some types of toothpaste.

Volcanoes erupt many metals valuable for industry: copper, iron, zinc. Sulfur collected from volcanic products, used for the production of matches, dyes and fertilizers. Hot water, obtained naturally or artificially from geysers, at special geothermal stations gives electricity. Diamonds, gold, opal, amethyst and topaz are often found in volcanoes.

Passing through the volcanic rock, the water is saturated with sulfur, carbon dioxide and silica, which help with asthma and diseases. respiratory tract. At thermal stations, patients not only drink healing water, but also bathe in separate sources, take mud baths and undergo additional treatment.

Conclusion

Today we discussed such a fascinating issue as the formation and structure of volcanoes. Summarizing the above, we can say that volcanoes arise due to the movement of tectonic plates, and are ejections of magma, which, in turn, is a molten mantle. Thus, considering volcanoes, it would be useful to recall the structure of the Earth. Volcanoes consist of a hearth, a vent, and a crater. They can be both destructive and beneficial. different areas industry.

One of the most amazing and mysterious geological formations on Earth are volcanoes. However, many of us have only a superficial understanding of them. What is the nature of volcanism? Where and how does a volcano form?

Before considering the question of how a volcano is formed, one should delve into the etymology and meaning of this term. In ancient Roman myths, Vulcan is mentioned by name, whose house was underground. If he was angry, the earth began to tremble, and smoke and flames erupted from the depths. This is where the name of these mountains comes from.

The word "volcano" comes from the Latin "vulcanus", which literally means fire. Volcanoes are geological formations that arise directly above cracks in the earth's crust. It is through these cracks that lava, ash, a mixture of gases with water vapor and rocks. The sciences of geomorphology and volcanology are engaged in the study of this mysterious phenomenon.

Classification and structure

According to the nature of activity, all volcanoes are active, dormant and extinct. And by location - terrestrial, underwater and subglacial.

To understand how a volcano forms, you must first consider its structure in detail. Each volcano consists of the following elements:

  1. The vent (the main channel in the center of the geological formation).
  2. Dike (channel with erupted lava).
  3. Crater (a large hole on top in the form of a bowl).
  4. (solidified pieces of erupted magma).
  5. Volcanic chamber (an area below the earth's surface where magma is concentrated).
  6. Cone (the so-called "mountain", formed by erupted lava, ash).

Despite the fact that the volcano looks like a huge mountain, its underground part much larger than the one on the surface. Craters are often filled with water.

Why do volcanoes form?

The process of volcano formation begins with the formation of a magma chamber underground. Gradually, liquid hot magma heats up in it, which puts pressure on the earth's crust from below. It is for this reason that the earth begins to crack. Through cracks and faults, magma erupts upward, and in the process of its movement, it melts through rocks and significantly expands cracks. This is how a volcanic vent is formed. How is a volcano formed? During the eruption, various rocks come to the surface, which subsequently settle on the slope, resulting in the formation of a cone.

Where are volcanoes located?

Where do volcanoes form? These geological formations are distributed on Earth extremely unevenly. If we talk about the patterns of their distribution, then a large number of them are located near the equator. There are far fewer of them in the southern hemisphere than in the northern. In the European part of Russia, Scandinavia, Australia and Brazil, they are completely absent.

But if we talk about Kamchatka, Iceland, the Mediterranean, the western coast of the North and South America, Indian and pacific ocean, Central Asia and central Africa, then there are plenty of them. They are mainly located near islands, archipelagos, coastal zones continents. The dependence of their activity and processes associated with the movement of the earth's crust is generally recognized.

How is a volcanic eruption formed?

How and why the processes are hidden in the bowels of the Earth. During the accumulation of magma, a large number of thermal energy. The temperature of the magma is quite high, but it is not able to melt because the crust presses on it from above. If the layers of the earth's crust put less pressure on the magma, the red-hot magma becomes liquid. It is gradually saturated with gases, melts rocks on its way and in this way makes its way to the surface of the earth.

If the volcanic vent is already filled with solidified and hardened lava, then the eruption will not occur until the magnitude of the magma pressure is sufficient to push out this plug. always accompanied by an earthquake. Ashes can be thrown to a height of up to several tens of kilometers.

Volcanoes are mountain-shaped formations from which hot magma erupts. How is a volcano formed? If there are cracks in earth's crust red-hot magma erupts to its surface under pressure. The slopes of the volcano are formed as a result of subsidence of rocks, lava, ash near the vent.

In ancient times, volcanoes were the tools of the gods. Today they pose a serious threat to settlements and entire countries. Not a single armament of the world has been given such power on our planet - to conquer and pacify a raging volcano.

Now means mass media, cinema and some writers fantasize about the future events of the famous park, the location of which is known to almost everyone who is interested in modern geography - we are talking about national park in the state of Wyoming. Undoubtedly, the most famous supervolcano in world history of the last two years is Yellowstone.

What is a volcano

For many decades, literature, especially in fantasy stories, attributed to grief that is capable of spewing flames magical properties. The most famous novel that described an active volcano is The Lord of the Rings (where it was called “lonely mountain”). The professor was right about this phenomenon.

No one can look at mountain ranges up to several hundred meters high without respect for the abilities of our planet to create such magnificent and dangerous natural objects. There is a special charm in these giants, which can also be called magic.

So, if we discard the fantasies of writers and the folklore of ancestors, then everything will become easier. From point of view geographical definition: a volcano (vulkan) is a break in the crust of any planetary mass, in our case the Earth, due to which volcanic ash and gas accumulated under pressure together with magma breaks out of the magma chamber, which is located under a solid surface. At this moment, an explosion occurs.

Causes

From the very first moments, the Earth was a volcanic field, on which trees, oceans, fields and rivers later appeared. Therefore, volcanism accompanies modern life.

How do they arise? On the Earth main reason education is the earth's crust. The point is that over the earth's core there is a liquid part of the planet (magma), which is always moving. It is thanks to this phenomenon that there is a magnetic field on the surface - a natural protection from solar radiation.

However, the earth's surface itself, although solid, is not solid, but is divided into seventeen large tectonic plates. When moving, they converge and diverge, it is because of the movement that breaks occur at the points of contact of the plates, and volcanoes arise. It is not at all necessary that this happens on the continents; there are similar gaps at the bottom of many oceans.

The structure of the volcano

A similar object forms on the surface as the lava cools. It is impossible to see what is hidden under many tons of rock. However, thanks to volcanologists and scientists, it is possible to imagine how it works.

A drawing of such a representation is seen by schoolchildren high school in the pages of a geographical textbook.

By itself, the device of the "fiery" mountain is simple and in the context it looks like this:

  • crater - top;
  • vent - a cavity inside a mountain, magma rises along it;
  • the magma chamber is a pocket at the base.

Depending on the type and form of formation of the volcano, some element of the structure may be absent. This option is classical, and many volcanoes should be considered in this particular section.

Types of volcanoes

Classification is applicable in two directions: by type and form. Since the movement of lithospheric plates is different, the rate of cooling of magma also varies.

Let's look at the types first:

  • operating;
  • sleeping;
  • extinct.

Volcanoes come in many forms:

The classification would not be complete if we do not take into account the relief forms of the crater of volcanoes:

  • caldera;
  • volcanic plugs;
  • lava plateau;
  • tuff cones.

Eruption

As ancient as the planet itself, a force that can rewrite the history of an entire country is an eruption. There are several factors that make such an event on earth the deadliest for the inhabitants of some cities. It is better not to get into a situation when a volcano erupts.

On average, 50 to 60 eruptions occur on the planet in one year. At the time of writing, about 20 ruptures are flooding the neighborhood with lava.

Perhaps the algorithm of actions is changing, but it depends on the accompanying weather conditions.

In any case, the eruption occurs in four stages:

  1. Silence. Large eruptions show that, until the moment of the first explosion, it is usually quiet. Nothing indicates the coming danger. A series of small shocks can only be measured by instruments.
  2. Ejection of lava and pyroclastite. A deadly mixture of gas and ash at a temperature of 100 degrees (reaches 800) Celsius is capable of destroying all life within a radius of hundreds of kilometers. An example is the eruption of Mount Helena in May of the eighties of the last century. Lava, the temperature of which can reach one and a half thousand degrees during the eruption, killed all life at a distance of six hundred kilometers.
  3. Lahar. If you are not lucky, then it may rain at the site of the eruption, as it was in the Philippines. In such situations, a continuous stream is formed, consisting of 20% water, the remaining 80% is rock, ash and pumice.
  4. "Concrete". The conditional name is the hardening of magma and ash that fell under the rain stream. Such a mixture destroyed more than one city.

The eruption is extremely dangerous phenomenon, in half a century it killed more than twenty scientists and several hundred civilians. Right now (as of this writing), the Hawaiian Kilauea continues to destroy the island.

The largest volcano in the world

Mauna Loa is the highest volcano on earth. It is located on the island of the same name (Hawaii) and rises 9 thousand meters from the ocean floor.

His last awakening took place in the 84th year of the last century. However, in 2004 he showed the first signs of awakening.

If there is the largest, then there is also the smallest?

Yes, it is located in Mexico in the town of Pueblo and is called Catscomate, its height is only 13 meters.

active volcanoes

If you open the world map, then sufficient level knowledge, you can find about 600 active volcanoes. Approximately four hundred of them are found in the "ring of fire" of the Pacific Ocean.

Eruption of the Guatemalan volcano Fuego

Perhaps someone will be interested list of active volcanoes:

  • in the territory of Guatemala - Fuego;
  • in the Hawaiian Islands - Kilauea;
  • within the borders of Iceland - Lakagigar;
  • in the Canary Islands - La Palma;
  • in the Hawaiian Islands - Loihi;
  • on the Antarctic island - Erebus;
  • Greek Nisyros;
  • the Italian volcano Etna;
  • on the Caribbean island of Montserrat - Soufrière Hills;
  • Italian mountain in the Tyrrhenian Sea - Stromboli;
  • and the most eminent Italian - Mount Vesuvius.

Extinct volcanoes of the world

Volcanologists sometimes cannot say for sure whether natural object dormant or dormant. In most cases, the zero activity of a particular mountain does not guarantee safety. More than once, the giants who had fallen asleep for many years suddenly showed signs of activation. This was the case with the volcano near the city of Manila, but there are many similar examples.

Mount Kilimanjaro

Below are just a few extinct volcanoes known to our scientists:

  • Kilimanjaro (Tanzania);
  • Mt Warning (in Australia);
  • Chaine des Puys (in France);
  • Elbrus (Russia).

The most dangerous volcanoes in the world

The eruption of even a small volcano looks impressive, one has only to imagine what a monstrous force lurks there, in the depths of the mountain. However, there are clear data that volcanologists use.

Through long observations, a special classification of potentially dangerous volcanic mountains was created. The indicator determines the impact of the eruption on the surrounding areas.

The most powerful explosion can follow from the eruption of a mountain of colossal proportions. Volcanologists call this kind of "fiery" mountains a supervolcano. On the scale of activity, such formations should occupy a level not lower than the eighth.

Taupo volcano in New Zealand

There are four of them in total:

  1. Indonesian supervolcano of Sumatra-Toba island.
  2. Taupo is located in New Zealand.
  3. Serra Galan in the Andes mountains.
  4. Yellowstone in the North American park of the same name in Wyoming.

We have collected the most interesting facts:

  • the largest (in terms of duration) is the Pinatubo eruption of 91 years (20th century), which lasted more than a year and lowered the earth's temperature by half a degree (Celsius);
  • the mountain described above threw 5 km 3 of ash to a height of thirty-five kilometers;
  • the largest explosion occurred in Alaska (1912), when the Novarupta volcano became more active, reaching a level of six points on the VEI scale;
  • the most dangerous is Kilauea, which has been erupting for thirty years since 1983. Active on this moment. Killed more than 100 people, more than a thousand remain under threat (2018);
  • the deepest eruption to date occurred at a depth of 1200 meters - Mount West Mata, near the island of Fiji, the basin of the Lau River;
  • the temperature in the pyroclastic flow can be over 500 degrees Celsius;
  • the last supervolcano erupted on the planet about 74,000 years ago (Indonesia). Therefore, it can be said that not a single person has yet experienced such a catastrophe;
  • Klyuchevsky on the Kamchatka Peninsula is considered the largest active volcano northern hemisphere;
  • ash and gases erupted by volcanoes can color sunsets;
  • the volcano with the coldest lava (500 degrees) is called Ol Doinyo Langai and is located in Tanzania.

How many volcanoes are on earth

There are not too many breaks in the earth's crust in Russia. So school course Geography knows about the Klyuchevskoy volcano.

In addition to him, there are about six hundred active ones on the beautiful planet, as well as a thousand extinct and sleeping ones. It is difficult to establish the exact number, but their number does not exceed two thousand.

Conclusion

Mankind should respect nature and remember that it is armed with more than one and a half thousand volcanoes. And let as few people as possible witness such a powerful phenomenon as an eruption.

A truly amazing sight is a volcanic eruption. But what is a volcano? How does a volcano erupt? Why do some of them spew huge lava flows at different intervals, while others sleep peacefully for centuries?

What is a volcano?

Outwardly, the volcano resembles a mountain. There is a geological fault inside it. In science, it is customary to call a volcano a formation of geological rock located on the surface of the earth. Through it, magma erupts outward, which is very hot. It is magma that subsequently forms volcanic gases and stones, as well as lava. Most of Volcanoes on earth formed several centuries ago. Today, new volcanoes occasionally appear on the planet. But this happens much less often than before.

How are volcanoes formed?

Briefly explaining the essence of the formation of a volcano, it will look like this. Under the earth's crust is a special layer under strong pressure, consisting of molten rocks, and it is called magma. If cracks suddenly begin to appear in the earth's crust, then hills form on the surface of the earth. Magma comes out through them under strong pressure. At the surface of the earth, it begins to disintegrate into red-hot lava, which then solidifies, causing the volcanic mountain to become larger and larger. The emerging volcano becomes such a vulnerable spot on the surface that it erupts volcanic gases onto the surface with great frequency.

What is a volcano made of?

In order to understand how magma erupts, you need to know what the volcano consists of. Its main components are: volcanic chamber, vent and craters. What is the focus of a volcano? This is where magma forms. But not everyone knows what the mouth and crater of a volcano are? A vent is a special channel that connects the hearth with the surface of the earth. A crater is a small bowl-shaped depression on the surface of a volcano. Its size can reach several kilometers.

What is a volcanic eruption?

Magma is constantly under strong pressure. Therefore, there is a cloud of gases above it at any time. Gradually, they push the red-hot magma to the surface of the earth through the mouth of the volcano. That's what causes the eruption. However, one small description of the eruption process is not enough. To see this spectacle, you can use the video, which you need to watch after you have learned what the volcano consists of. In the same way, in the video you can find out which volcanoes do not exist at the present time and what volcanoes that are active today look like.

Why are volcanoes dangerous?

Active volcanoes are dangerous for a number of reasons. By itself, a dormant volcano is very dangerous. He can “wake up” at any time and start spewing lava flows that spread over many kilometers. Therefore, you should not settle near such volcanoes. If an erupting volcano is located on the island, such a dangerous phenomenon as tsunami may occur.

Despite their danger, volcanoes can serve mankind well.

Why are volcanoes useful?

  • During the eruption, a large number of metals appear that can be used in industry.
  • The volcano generates the strongest rocks that can be used for construction.
  • Pumice, which appears as a result of the eruption, is used for industrial purposes, as well as in the production of stationery gum and toothpaste.

A volcanic eruption is a spectacle that boggles the imagination. This makes the volcano an interesting object of study. What is a volcano? A volcano is a geological formation on the surface of the earth through which red-hot magma comes out. Magma that has come to the surface forms lava, stones, volcanic gases. The volcano itself usually looks like a mountain, inside of which there is a break in the earth's crust. Now volcanoes still continue to form, but much less frequently than before.

What is a volcano made of?

The volcano consists of two main parts - the vent and the crater. The mouth of a volcano is the mouth through which magma comes to the surface. The depression at the top of the mountain, to which the vent leads, is called a crater.

What is a volcanic eruption?

Volcanoes appear in unstable, seismically active places on the planet, where there is a movement of underground plates and faults form in the earth's crust. A liquid, red-hot, molten mixture of rocks (magma) from the depths of our planet accumulates inside and is gradually squeezed out. Magma comes out under great pressure and sooner or later breaks through the mouth of the volcano. When a volcano erupts, great amount ash and smoke into the air, clods of lava and stones fly, often an eruption is accompanied by an earthquake.

Types of volcanoes

Not all volcanoes erupt equally intensely. Depending on their activity, they can be active, dormant and dormant. Those volcanoes are considered active, the eruption of which is possible in the foreseeable future, extinct - those whose eruption is unlikely, dormant ones are no longer able to erupt. Also in science, there are many types of volcanic eruptions based on the spread of lava, smoke and ash.

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