Volcanoes Are So Hot Right Now!
What's all the Rage?
What is a Volcano?
A volcano is an explosion in the crust of a planetary- mass object, such as earth, that allows hot lava, ash, and gasses to erupt from a magma chamber below the crust. Earth's volcanoes occur because it's crust is broken into 17 major, rigid tectonic plates that float on a hotter, softer layer called the Mantle.
Positive and Negative Impacts on Humans and the Environment
Pro's
~New land is being formed (land and island)
~Produces very rich soil for farming
~It also helps trees grow faster
~Volcanic ash is a very good building material. They used this method in ancient Rome by mixing it with other materials to make cement
Con's
~Ash and other chemicals can ruin farmland around the volcano causing crops not to grow
~Earthquakes (If occurred underwater)
~When volcanoes explode the gasses that seep out are poisonous
~Lava flows are too slow to run over people, but they can run over houses, roads, and other structures.
~If the ashfall is really heavy it can be impossible to breathe
What's the Cause of This?
Be Prepared!
- Run towards the direction of where the magma is headed
- Have supplies on hand
- Listen to a (battery-operated) radio for the latest information
- If caught in a rockfall, roll into a ball to protect your head
- Find the farthest shelter from the magma
Watch Out This Could be You!
Interesting Facts
- There are also volcanoes on the ocean floor
- Volcanic eruptions can send ash over 17 miles above the Earth’s surface
- The word volcano originally comes from the name of the Roman god of fire, Vulcan.
- Magma is the name given to a hot liquid rock inside a volcano. Once it leaves the volcano, it's known as lava.
- The world's largest active volcano is Mauna Loa in Hawaii standing at 4,169 m!
- About 1,900 volcanoes on Earth are considered active and are most likely to explode again.
I Lava to Walk!
We Hope to See You There!!