- Volcanoes are caused by the movement of tectonic plates on Earth’s surface. When these plates meet, magma from beneath the crust can rise and collect in magma chambers. If pressure builds up enough, the magma erupts through the volcano, ejecting ash, gas, and lava.
- Volcanoes are classified as active, dormant, or extinct based on their eruption history. An active volcano has erupted in the last ten thousand years. A dormant volcano shows signs of potential activity (like rumbling) but hasn’t erupted recently. An extinct volcano shows no signs of ever erupting again.
- The largest active volcano on Earth is Mauna Loa, located in Hawaii. It was formed by underwater volcanic eruptions that created new land as lava cooled.
- Iceland has 130 volcanoes, but only about 30 are active. In 2010, an eruption there disrupted air travel across western Europe for up to a week due to a large ash cloud.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of volcano reading comprehension worksheet.
