Facts and Figures:
When thick magma and large amounts of gas build up under the surface, eruptions can be explosive, lava spreads out and spills rocks and ash into the air. Less gas and more viscous magma usually has a less dramatic eruption, often causing streams of lava to pour from the volcano.Volcanoes tend to exist along the edges between tectonic plates, massive rock slabs that make up Earth's surface.
About 1,900 volcanoes on Earth are considered active.
Scientists estimate that more than 260,000 people have died in the past 300 years from volcanic eruptions.
The word volcano comes from the name of the Roman god of fire, Vulcan.
Volcanic eruptions can send ash high into the air, over 30km above the Earth’s surface.
The most deadly eruptions have occurred in Indonesia, with tens of thousands of lives lost to starvation.
The danger area around a volcano covers about a 32km radius.
About 1,900 volcanoes on Earth are considered active.
Scientists estimate that more than 260,000 people have died in the past 300 years from volcanic eruptions.
The word volcano comes from the name of the Roman god of fire, Vulcan.
Volcanic eruptions can send ash high into the air, over 30km above the Earth’s surface.
The most deadly eruptions have occurred in Indonesia, with tens of thousands of lives lost to starvation.
The danger area around a volcano covers about a 32km radius.