In this unit study, we’re going to learn all about volcanoes! There are certain attributes and characteristics that help identify volcanoes. There are different eruption types as well as threats to the communities surrounding them. Let’s start by talking about what makes a volcano a volcano.

What is a volcano?

Volcanoes are vents, or openings in Earth's crust, that release ash, gases and steam, and hot liquid rock called lava. When the lava cools and hardens, it forms into the cone-shaped mountain we think of as a volcano.

The main features of a volcano include the magma chamber, vents, craters and slopes.

Visit Internet Geography and click on the interactive image to learn about the different features of volcanoes. Click the arrows in the upper right corner of the image to make it full-screen.

Watch the video below to learn more about volcanoes and how they are formed:

In the comments below, share one new or interesting fact you learned about volcanoes!