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Volcanoes

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The name "volcano" has its origin from the name of Vulcan a god of fire in roman mythology.

What is a volcano?
A volcano is a mountain (landform) that opens downward to a pool of molten rock below the surface of the earth. When the pressure builds up, eruptions begin. Gases and rocks shoot up through the volcano centre and spill over with lava. Eruptions can cause blasts, lava flows, hot ash flows, mudslides, avalanches, falling ash and floods. Volcano eruptions have been known to knock down entire forests. An erupting volcano can trigger tsunamis, flash floods, earthquakes, mudflows and rockfalls.

How are volcanoes formed?
Volcanoes are formed when magma from within the Earth's upper mantle works its way to the surface. At the surface, it erupts to form lava flows and ash deposits. Over time as the volcano continues to erupt, it will get bigger and bigger.

What are the different stages of volcanoes?
Volcanoes are in three main categories: active, dormant, and extinct. An active volcano is one which has recently erupted and there is a possibility that it may erupt soon. A dormant volcano is one which has not erupted in a long time but there is a possibility it can erupt in the future. An extinct volcano is one which has erupted thousands of years ago and there’s no possibility of eruption.

Why do volcanoes erupt?
The Earth's crust is made up of huge slabs called plates, which fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. These plates sometimes move. The friction causes earthquakes and volcanic eruptions near the edges of the plates. The theory that explains this process is called plate tectonics.

What are the different types of volcanoes?
There are four types of volcanoes: cinder cones, composite volcanoes, shield volcanoes and lava

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