17 explosive volcano facts!
Check out some fascinating facts about volcanoes!
Is it just us or is it getting hot in here, gang? Prepare to delve into the depths of the earth and uncover these seriously hot volcano facts – if you dare!
Volcano facts

1. Put simply, a volcano is an opening in the Earth’s surface.
Usually found in a mountain, the opening allows gas, hot magma and ash to escape from beneath the Earth’s crust.
2. The word “volcano” comes from the Roman name “Vulcan”.
“But who was Vulcan?” you might ask. He was the Roman god of fire!
3. Volcanoes are often found at meeting points of “tectonic plates”.
These plates are pieces of the Earth’s surface that fit together just like a jigsaw puzzle.
4. Volcanoes can also occur over “mantle plumes”.
Ever heard of mantle plumes? They’re super-hot areas of rock inside the Earth!
Did you know that we have a FREE downloadable Volcanoes of Ecuador primary resource? Great for teachers, homeschoolers and parents alike!
5. Approximately 350 million people live within “danger range” of an active volcano.
That means that around one in 20 people live in an area at risk of volcanic activity.

6. Volcanoes are classified as active, dormant or extinct.
This refers to the amount of volcanic activity. “Active” means there’s regular activity, “dormant” means there’s been recent activity but the volcano is currently quiet, and “extinct” means it’s been so long since the last eruption that it’s unlikely to ever erupt again.
7. Volcanoes can be a variety of shapes.
These geographical wonders come in various shapes and sizes, but there are two main types – composite volcanoes, which are cone-shaped with steep slopes, and shield volcanoes, which are wide with gentle slopes.
8. Magma and lava are two different things!
Magma is the name given to hot liquid rock inside a volcano. Once it leaves the volcano, it’s known as lava.
Psst! Make sure you download our awesome volcano facts infographic – show your friends, family, or stick it on your wall!
9. Volcanoes don’t just occur on land.
They can be found on the ocean floor and under ice caps, too!
10. Lava from a volcano can reach 1,250°C.
If you used a glass thermometer to take the temperature it would melt!
11. The world’s largest active volcano is Mauna Loa in Hawaii.
Standing a whopping 4,169m tall, this geological giant last erupted in 2022.

12. Volcanoes exist throughout the solar system!
Other planets and moons have volcanoes, too! The largest volcano in our solar system is Olympus Mons, found on Mars.
13. In A.D. 79, the Italian town of Pompeii was destroyed and buried by a volcano called Mount Vesuvius.
Incredibly, the ash deposits preserved the town and the remains of the people within it. Today, it’s one of Italy‘s most popular historical sites!
14. About 1,900 volcanoes on Earth are considered active, likely to explode again. Yikes!
Most of the world’s active volcanoes are found on the “Ring of Fire“, a 40,000 km horseshoe shaped area of the Pacific Ocean.
15. The loudest sound in recorded history was made by a volcano called Krakatau.
Found in Southeast Asia, when Krakatau erupted in 1883 it released 200 megatrons of energy – that’s the equivalent of 15,000 nuclear bombs. Boom!

16. Volcanoes can produce rich, fertile land.
Over time, lava and ash break down to produce nutrient-rich soil, great for growing crops! That’s why some people like to set up home on the slopes of a volcano.
17. It’s not just humans that makes use of volcanoes – birds do, too!
Maleo birds bury their eggs in the sand or soil near volcanoes to keep them warm. When the chicks hatch they claw their way up to the surface!
Check out this explosive video, full of exciting facts and information about volcanoes!
Discover other forces of nature with our geography features, including tornado facts, hurricane facts, tsunami facts and more!
What did you think of our volcano facts, gang? Let us know by leaving a comment below!
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COMMENTS1
Lily
I love it!
William
I don’t like to think that I could be infront of a active volcano.
Avika
Good
Rafeef
This helped me with my homework thanks
rien willioms
wow that is amazing imformation
Risha Somaiya
I think this site was really helpful because I had a science project to do on volcanoes and this link helped me a lot!
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Hazel R
i got a plus because of u thanks xx
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masteratyeets123
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i love volcanos especially in documentaries
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Let's take action.
Flynn
Wow
Tiffany
It helps me to learn more about interesting facts.
Chloe Betteridge
I like Volcanoes now Really Cool
Tim
Awesome
Tim
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Moritz
It helps me when I am searching for interesting facts
amber
nice
bentley
kariah.grays
It helps me learn a lot about volcanoes a lot.
Kashwini
Tis cool facts helps me in homework and pop quiz
Mamie
This so helping me do my homework
Delilah
cool guy
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cool guy
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Gdogdizzleboy
dusty
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I love this thing
Hope
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Thank you for these they really help me on my assignment
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Thank you
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caiden
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Cassie
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Anonymous
I think its interesting
claire
wade
cool
Thelma Lumpkin
My students enjoyed learning facts about volcanoes. Very interesting!
Mr. Hartley
I love volcanoes!
Rory
K
Emma
Awesome!
Nasha
nice
Futtaim
Nice
Jahmir Mason
Very interesting. I didn't know some birds lay their eggs near the base of a volcanoe to keep them warm.
Cool!
elephent
sooo intresting
Milani
this si information really helped and is very informing to tell readers about the topic
jeff
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J
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j
i love volcanoes
Larva
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CHARLIE MORROW!
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raf
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Will
Cool beans
Ab
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I love it
jeff
cool magizines
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I love your magizines.So I thought your website would be helpful
volcan
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tom
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hi thank you
Patrisha :3
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lukethebest2
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Grayson B
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Harry Potter
good
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We need to save our planet the amount of rubbish floating around is unexeptable
Crazygamer2837
LOL!
teetar
this helped with my geography project
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Rosie
I've seen a load of real ones in lanzarote- apparently it was formed as a massive volcano that rose out of the sea! We had a tour around the park and lukily they were inactive; phew!!! I really loved these facts well done!!!
Mad Hatter
Awesome Videos! I loved them! So informative!
chat nior
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poppy
volcanoes are awesome but I would be terrified if I saw a real one!
Georgia
AMAZING VOLCANO
Tia
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Cooper
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I wanna jump into a volcano
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Volcano Scientist
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Wow I need facts on how volcanoes eurupt
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Go girl
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Maia
Volcanos are very dangerous but it has a very good heat .
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Colby
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Maia
I do not like volcanoes but I will like to live by one because it's warm heat will warm my house up
Saraya
Volcanos are the best I like them but I'm sure that I will be scard when I see one.
Faye
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kyleigh
amazing
Shannon
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Yay!
BLT
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Lovecats
I love volcanos they are sooo cool
perfect information for my volcano project
Chicken
Chicken
Edward Usher
This small line of info has taught me a lot of new information about volcanoes that I didn't know! A very well put together seventeen bits of info. Thank you for making it.
Kiera Duff
They are very interesting and cool
Jordyn
I love volcano. I really want to explore one.
hello
hi
Suzla
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Luella
Thanks this is really good because i can use these facts for my volcano science project! Thanks!!
isabella
this is a good for kids that like volcanoes
Gouldian
Volcanoes are awesome. And I read about this explosion in Indonesia (it might have been the one from Krakatau) that was so loud that it woke people up in Western Australia!
teacher101
very handy for my students
Violet
I love volcanoes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TJ
The fact about the word volcano from a Roman word "Vulcan" the Roman god of fire is actually cool.
Oscar
I LOVE VOLCANOES (except that the fact volcanoes are dangerous)
Jon
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Nik21
I love the facts about volcanos. did you know that there's a volcano that has blue flames
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ruby
VOLCANOS ARE COOL!
Vitor Folda Mezzalira
the volcanoes has lots of lava
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The volcanos is cool because of the lava.
Dominic
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jess
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locomotive
sup NGKids
Tanvir
Where is volcanoes
Lauren
It's a really good website and helps my brother learn more.
I love volcanoes!
Alisi
This is really great and is a great and fun website to use. It has lot's of info we can learn from and on a scale from 1 - 10, I give this a 9? Because there is always time for improvement! :)
cam
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Faithmarie
I really love learning about the Earth and this website has really helped me
chelsie
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Chenai
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deadpool2010
i do not like volcanos lol
RedJewel
Nice Article! This really helped out when I did my homework! Five Star!!!?
DoctorWhoEmily
Wow this was so cool I learned new things from reading this. I already Know that Mauna Loa Hawaii has the tallest volcano in the earth because it comes all the way from the bottom of the earth.
bob22
hi the video did not work but yay so:):);)
weavill
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dablife
cant wait till a volcano explodes !
xXGraceXx
Thanks National Geographic Kids! I was able to finish my report on volcanos because of your great facts! Thanks! <3
Random21
So cool information
ElianaH
Lava eruptions are cool!
Mckenzie
My teacher will love this
Julia
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gbearmango
Im doing a project about volcanoes at school and this was SOOO helpful. Thanks a lot!
alex14632
hi I think these facts are overrated I m 9 and I know more
ferryberry678
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trin_bae
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Meep
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Abi-Gabbie
Super awesome! Learned a ton, I LOVE VOLCANOES!
HazzaM
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luyt
the volcanoes are so cool
Girlygg
Lol so helpful for my project
rebecca2029
i am student in primary school and our teacher sent us home with an essay to write about volcanoes she said we should go on line and look up websites for imformation on the volcanoes and i came acroos this website i clicked on it and found wonderful imformation thank you so much
silverturtle
volcanoes are the coolest natural disaster
Monkey-Approved
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anthonyli
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lovejen
gives lots of information but it doesint answer my questions
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My mom saw the volcano in Hawaii last week.
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OMG! the ashes look scary and mount st helens ash nearly reached 14 miles per 30 seconds
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National Geographic is great these volcano facts help ALOT. I think its REALLY AWSOME and its a website thats OUT OF THIS WORLD.
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CRAZZYJUTT
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science101
this is a good app for me thanks for making it
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Im writing about volcano. Volcano are very awesome
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It was so helpful for my report
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light
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light
wow amazing volcanoes havr came to life such amazing major eruptions
Adam,Ben and Luke
Volcano was made from the ground?
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Cool facts they really helped me at school
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Nice job with the video
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