Volcanoes form when pressure builds up below the Earth's crust, causing magma and gases to erupt through openings. Scientists categorize volcanoes as active, dormant, or extinct based on their eruption history. The movement of tectonic plates causes friction that results in earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, particularly along plate boundaries, according to the theory of plate tectonics. There are over 1,500 active volcanoes on Earth, with more located under the oceans, and active volcanoes in the United States are primarily found in Hawaii, Alaska, California, Oregon and Washington.

1. Volcanoes

2. What are Volcanoes?
A volcano is a mountain that opens downward to a pool of molten rock below the surface of the
earth. When pressure builds up, eruptions occur. Gases and rock shoot up through the opening
and spill over or fill the air with lava fragments. Eruptions can cause lateral blasts, lava flows,
hot ash flows, mudslides, avalanches, falling ash and floods. Volcano eruptions have been known
to knock down entire forests. An erupting volcano can trigger tsunamis, flash floods,
earthquakes, mud flows and rockfalls.

3. What are the different stages in a volcano?
Scientists have categorized volcanoes into three main categories: active,
dormant,and extinct. An active volcano is one which has recently erupted and
there is a possibility that it may erupt soon. A dormant volcano is one which
has not erupted in a long time but there is a possibility it can erupt in the
future. An extinct volcano is one which has erupted thousands of years ago and
there’s nov possibility of eruption.
Dormant Extinct

4. Why do Volcanoes erupt?
The Earth's crust is made up of huge slabs called plates, which fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. These plates
sometimes move. The friction causes earthquakes and volcanic eruptions near the edges of the plates. The theory
that explains this process is called plate tectonics.The Earth's crust is made up of huge slabs called plates, which
fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. These plates sometimes move. The friction causes earthquakes and volcanic
eruptions near the edges of the plates. The theory that explains this process is called plate tectonics.The Earth's
crust is made up of huge slabs called plates, which fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. These plates sometimes move.
The friction causes earthquakes and volcanic eruptions near the edges of the plates. The theory that explains this
process is called plate tectonics.The Earth's crust is made up of huge slabs called plates, which fit together like a
jigsaw puzzle. These plates sometimes move. The friction causes earthquakes and volcanic eruptions near the edges
of the plates. The theory that explains this process is called plate tectonics.

5. What are Tectonic Plates?
The theory of plate tectonics is a interesting story of continents drifting from place to place
breaking apart, colliding, and grinding against each other. The plate tectonic theory is supported
by a wide range of evidence that considers the earth's crust and upper mantle to be composed
of several large, thin, relatively rigid plates that move relative to one another. The plates are all
moving in different directions and at different speeds. Sometimes the plates crash together,
pull apart or sideswipe each other. When this happens, it commonly results in earthquakes.

6. How many Volcanoes are there?
There are more than 1500 active volcanoes on the Earth. We currently
know of 80 or more which are under the oceans. Active volcanoes in the
U.S. are found mainly in Hawaii, Alaska, California, Oregon and
Washington.
Volcanoes in
the world