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• Volcanoes are created when hot magma rises to the surface of the Earth's crust and breaks through. Most volcanoes are located on the boundaries of tectonic plates. The term volcano refers to the opening where the molten rock and gases are expelled. Volcanoes are mountains, but they are not like typical mountains. Instead, a volcano is built by the accumulation of its own eruptive products.Thirteen.org: Mountains of Fire

• Fast Facts

  1. Largest active volcano: Mauna LoaUSGS: Mauna Loa Earth's Largest Volcano
  2. Hawaii formed by 5 volcanoesHawaii Center for Volcanology: The Formation of the Hawaiian Islands
  3. Magma: liquid rock inside a volcano
  4. Lava: liquid rock that flows out of the volcano
  5. More than 1500 active volcanoes
  6. Can alter the climate for both long and short periodsEarly Observatory: Natural Hazards: Volcanoes
  7. Release large amounts of sulfur compounds into the airEarly Observatory: Natural Hazards: Volcanoes
  8. Release large amounts of water and carbon dioxideEarly Observatory: Natural Hazards: Volcanoes
  9. Hazardous to life and propertyEarly Observatory: Natural Hazards: Volcanoes
  10. Capable of destroying all life for many miles in a matter of minutesEarly Observatory: Natural Hazards: Volcanoes

• How They Work

  All volcanoes occur when hot magma rises to the surface and finds a weak spot in the earth's outer crust. When they break through the earth's crust this produces lava which spews out. This lava flow can reach speeds of up to 60 miles per hour and temperatures of 1,300 degrees Fahrenheit. The lava flow destroys everything in its path.How Stuff Works: How Volcanoes Works

• Volcano Types

  1. Cinder conesUSGS: Principal Types of Volcanoes
  2. Composite volcanoesUSGS: Principal Types of Volcanoes
  3. Shield volcanoesUSGS: Principal Types of Volcanoes
  4. Lava domesUSGS: Principal Types of Volcanoes

• Volcano Preparedness

  1. Stay away from active volcano sitesFEMA: Volcanoes
  2. Evacuate immediately from a volcano areaFEMA: Volcanoes
  3. Be aware of mudflowsFEMA: Volcanoes
  4. Wear long sleeve shirts, long pants and goggles to protect from falling ashFEMA: Volcanoes
  5. Avoid areas down wind of a volcanoFEMA: Volcanoes
  6. Stay indoors till ash has settledFEMA: Volcanoes
  7. Close doors and windowsFEMA: Volcanoes

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