What is a Volcano?A volcano is a landform (usually a mountain) where molten rock erupts through the surface of the planet.In simple terms a volcano is a mountain that opens downward to a pool of molten rock (magma) below the surface of the earth. It is a hole in the Earth from which molten rock and gas erupt.What is the difference between lava and Magma?Magmais liquid rock inside a volcano.Lavais liquid rock (magma) that flows out of a volcano. Fresh lava ranges from 1,300 to 2,200 F (700 to 1,200 C) in temperature and glows red hot to white hot as it flows.How many volcanoes are there in the world?There are around1,510 activevolcanoesin the world.We currently know of 80 or more which are under the oceans.What are the three layers the Earth is made of?1. CrustThe crust is the outer layer of Earth. It is about 18 miles thick. It is the part we live on.2. MantleThe second layer is called the mantle. It is about 1,800 miles thick.3. CoreThe inner layer is called the core.What causes volcanoes to erupt?The Earth's crust is made up of huge slabs calledplates, which fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. These plates sometimes move.Between the Earth's crust and the mantle is a substance calledmagmawhich is made of rock and gases.When two plates collide, one section slides on top of the other, the one beneath is pushed down.Magmais squeezed up between two plates.When magma erupts, what is it called?When magma erupts through the earth's surface it is calledlavaWhat is the Ring of Fire?Over half of the worlds volcanoes arise in a belt around the Pacific Ocean called the Ring of Fire.Effect of Volcanoes on people and the environmentVolcanoes can have a very serious effect on the lands and people around them when they erupt. Buildings are destroyed and people are made homeless. People are killed. Clouds of ash cover plants making them inedible. Poisonous gases kill people and animals. Dust causes pneumonia and illnesses to the survivors. Dark skies, severe winds and heavy rains may follow an eruption for months afterwards.Current Volcanic Activity

DefinitionsMagma- Molten rock beneath Earth's surface.Parasitic Cone- A small cone-shaped volcano formed by an accumulation of volcanic debris.Sill- A flat piece of rock formed when magma hardens in a crack in a volcano.Vent- An opening in Earth's surface through which volcanic materials escape.Flank- The side of a volcano.Lava- Molten rock that erupts from a volcano that solidifies as it cools.Crater- Mouth of a volcano - surrounds a volcanic vent.Conduit- An underground passage magma travels through.Summit- Highest point; apexThroat- Entrance of a volcano. The part of the conduit that ejects lava and volcanic ash.Ash -Fragments of lava or rock smaller than 2 mm in size that are blasted into the air by volcanic explosions.Ash Cloud- A cloud of ash formed by volcanic explosions.

Acid rain is rainfall that has been acidified. Rain is acidified by oxides of sulfur and nitrogen. Acid rain usually has a pH of less than 5.6. Acid rain is formed when pollutants called oxides of sulfur and nitrogen, contained in power plant smoke, factory smoke, and car exhaust, react with the moisture in the atmosphere. Dry deposition, such as soot and ash, sleet, hail, snow, smog and low level ozone are forms that acid rain can take, despite its name.

Acid rain can be caused by many things. Industrial emissions from factories and power plants that burn fuels such as natural gas, coal or oil, emit smoke that gives off oxides of sulfur and nitrogen is one cause. Another cause is vehicles (e.g. cars, buses) that burn gasoline and diesel. The exhaust emitted by burning these fuels contains sulfur dioxide, an oxide of sulfur. Also, vehicles that have gas engines will produce oxides of nitrogen, another cause of acid rain. One other cause is home fires giving off smoke that contains sulfur dioxide. Some fairly minor causes are natural causes which are volcanoes, swamps and rotting plants giving off sulfur dioxide. Natural causes only account for 10% of the pollution causing acid rain.