1. The Earth’s land builders.
Volcanoes
The Earth’s land builders.

2. What is a volcano?
The land around an opening in Earth’s crust where molten rock exits the earth.

3. Is all lava the same?
Pahoehoe Aa
Pillow Lava

4. Do all volcanoes erupt violently?
No. All volcanoes are different. Some erupt violently due to trapped gasses. Some flow gently due to a low viscosity.

5. What kinds of volcanoes are there?
Composite
Shield
Cinder Cone
Caldera
Lava Plateau

6. Composite Mt Shasta

7. Shield Mauna Loa

8. Cinder Cone Wizard Island

9. Caldera Crater Lake

10. Lava Plateau Columbia Plateau

11. Where are volcanoes found?
Plate Boundaries
Hot Spots

12. What is the biggest volcano?
Depends on what biggest means.
Diameter
Height above sea level
Height above base
Highest volcano- Ojos del Salado
World’s largest- Mauna Loa
Solar System- Olympus Mons

13. What comes out of volcanoes?
Lava
Pyroclastic material
Ash
Lapilli
Blocks
Bombs
Gas
Water vapor
Sulfur dioxide
Carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide
Hydrogen
Hydrogen sulfide and others

14. Gases Gases can be released even when a volcano is not erupting
Vents that expel gas from a volcano are called fumaroles.

15. How do volcanoes affect the Earth?
Land formation and mountain building
Expelled water adds to our hydrosphere
Expelled gases change our atmosphere
Expelled gases and particulates can change our weather
Eruptions can destroy towns/cities
Toxic gases can smother living things

16. Do volcanoes affect our weather/climate?
Yes. Volcanic ash is reflective and can cool the earth locally. This effect may last days to months.
Volcanic gases such as sulfur dioxide SO2 convert to sulfuric acid H2SO4 in the atmosphere
Sulfuric acid aerosols (tiny droplets) remain in the atmosphere for months to years.

17. Can we predict eruptions?
Somewhat. Scientists monitor volcanoes
Seismic activity
Sulfur dioxide gas
Ground deformation such as swelling or bulges
Evacuation plans are in place in high risk areas

18. What other planets/moons have volcanoes?
Mars- Old inactive volcanoes
Olympus Mons over 16 miles high
Our Moon- Old inactive volcanoes
Venus- Some may still be active
Io- Moon of Jupiter