The learner will be able to recognize specific geological features. The learner will be able to recognize the layers of the Earth.

Write a paragraph about how volcanoes are formed. Write about how volcanoes change the earth.

Can you imagine what it would be like to stand next to a forming volcano? It would be hot, no, I mean REALLY hot! Incredibly hot! So hot you could toast a hot dog in 1 second!! Less! It would also be noisy. See, a volcano is a lot of melted rock (MAGMA!) being squeezed out from under the surface of the earth. So, a volcano erupting is kind of like popping a zit! Pretty gross, huh? Rock under the surface of the earth is melted and churned up by the incredible heat and pressure that exists deep inside the earth. This melted rock gets spewed (or leaked) out when the heat and pressure increase, creating the volcanic eruptions we've all seen on TV. If you think this is really cool, hey, maybe you'll become a volcanologist!!

The word "volcano" comes from the little island of Vulcano in the Mediterranean Sea off Sicily. Centuries ago, the people living in this area believed that Vulcano was the chimney of the forge of Vulcan -- the blacksmith of the Roman gods. They thought that the hot lava fragments and clouds of dust erupting form Vulcano came from Vulcan's forge as he beat out thunderbolts for Jupiter, king of the gods, and weapons for Mars, the god of war. In Polynesia the people attributed eruptive activity to the beautiful but wrathful Pele, Goddess of Volcanoes, whenever she was angry or spiteful. Today we know that volcanic eruptions are not super-natural but can be studied and interpreted by scientists. What is a Volcano?

Volcanoes are mountains that are different from other mountains because of the way they are formed. They are formed by eruptions which cause lava to come out and accumulate on the surrounding land. Mt. St. Helens Washington State

Deep inside Earth, between the molten iron core and the thin crust at the surface, there is a solid body of rock called the mantle. When rock from the mantle melts, moves to the surface through the crust, and releases pent-up gases, volcanoes erupt. But why does this solid rock melt and come to the surface?

Extremely high temperature and pressure cause the rock to melt and become liquid rock or magma. When a large body of magma has formed, it rises through the denser rock layers toward Earth's surface. Magma that has reached the surface is called lava.

During the eruption of a volcano, flowing lava and ash, harden around the opening out of which they came, forming a large cone. This cone is what we know as a volcano.eruptionlava ash

Volcanoes form in the ocean as well as on land creating new islands. As the lava flows, the islands are gradually formed.

The intense heat of the lava destroys everything in its path.

As the lava flows it begins to cool on the outside surface but yet holds its intense heat on the inside, just like a bowl of soup.

Volcanoes change the face of the earth in many different ways. They can affect plant life, animal life, and land formation. In 1981 Mt. St. Helens in Washington State erupted. Before the eruption.After the eruption.

Nature’s recovery can take many years

Several years after the eruption, evidence of the destruction from the hot ash and debris is still there. After the eruption Before the eruption.

Volcanoes form islands, destroy mountains, produce new soil, and generally give the Earth a facelift every few million years After a volcano erupts, and becomes inactive (isn't likely to erupt again), the soil around the old volcano is just super for farming. I mean just SUPER!!! You can grow anything in that old volcanic ash!

Many volcanoes can be found throughout the world. Hawaii New Zealand Japan Russia Antarctica

Match the number to the continent or area. Antarctica Africa North America South America Europe Pacific Ocean Central America Asia Atlantic Ocean

Volcanologists are scientists who study volcanoes. It is very interesting but can be dangerous work. They study both the inside and outside of the volcano.

To learn more about volcanoes and their effects go to: GEOLOGY JUST ROCKS!!