Volcanoes

Volcanoes A volcano is a weak spot in the crust where molten material, or magma, comes to the surface. Volcanic belts form along the boundaries of Earth’s plates.

Ring of Fire – a major volcanic belt that rims the Pacific Ocean.

Volcanoes and Plate Boundaries Volcanoes often form where two oceanic plates collide or where an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate. In both situations, an oceanic plate sinks through a trench.

Lava Plateau A lave plateau is a plateau that is formed by lava during a volcanic eruption.

Volcanic Neck A volcanic neck is a cylindrical-shaped landform standing above the surface created by magma solidifying in the vent of a volcano. This is Devil’s Tower in Wyoming.

Forecasting Volcanic Eruptions Volcanoes are difficult to forecast because they can cause so many different disasters themselves. The volcanic gases that come with a volcanic explosion mixes with the ash and clouds formed by the eruption and acid rain may fall in your area.  Volcano eruptions throw objects and debris during strong eruptions. Poisonous gases, lava, and ash are all major events during volcanic eruptions.  

Famous U.S. Volcanoes Mount St. Helens in Washington – last erupted in 1980 killing 57 people Mauna Loa in Hawaii – the largest volcano on our planet and also one of the most active volcano on our planet. It erupts quite often is and is constantly monitored for its next eruption

Resources http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0212082/ndvol.htm http://www.fema.gov/kids/volcano.htm http://belmont.sd62.bc.ca/teacher/geology12/photos/volcanoes/features.htm Prentice Hall, Inc.