17 explosive volcano facts!

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!

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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!