Volcanoes

Volcanoes may seem scary, exotic, or unrelated to your daily life, but volcanic activity is a relatively common occurrence on Earth. Scientists believe that volcanic activity was responsible for the creation of Earth’s atmosphere and oceans, both of which formed over time from gases emitted by volcanic eruptions. Volcanoes are also the only window into the unique processes that occur within the Earth that cannot otherwise be observed. Volcanism continues to shape Earth’s landscape, atmosphere, and oceans on a daily basis through both violent and gentle eruptions. In this topic, you will learn about the structure and types of volcanoes, what makes them erupt, and where on Earth volcanoes are located.

Essential Questions

• What is a volcano, and what causes an eruption?
• What are the different features of volcanoes?
• What are the three major types of volcanoes?
• Where are volcanoes located on Earth?