Volcanoes

What is a volcano?

A volcano is a mountain that opens downward to a pool of molten rock below the surface of the earth. When pressure builds up, eruptions occur.

What can volcanoes cause?

Eruptions can cause

· lava flows,

· hot ash flows,

· mudslides,

· avalanches,

· falling ash 

· floods

· Volcano eruptions destroy entire forests

·  An erupting volcano can create tsunamis and earthquakes.

Where can you find volcanoes?

Active volcanoes in the U.S. are in Hawaii, Alaska, California, Oregon and Washington.

There are more than 500 active volcanoes in the world. More than half of these volcanoes are part of the "Ring of Fire," a region that encircles the Pacific Ocean.

Pictures of volcanoes

http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/pompeii/videogallery/videogallery.html