Pacific Ring Of Fire: The Formation Of Volcanoes

Volcanoes are mountains with a large pool of magma. When pressure builds up the magma and lava spews out, this is called a volcanic eruption. So, how are volcanoes formed?

Volcanoes form in destructive and constructive areas on Earth. They form when plates in Earth’s core (tectonic plates) force molten rock, gases and ash to Earth’s upper mantle.

The magma lives in the Earth’s crust. Magma is made from rock and gases. When two tectonic plates collide they push magma to the Earth’s surface and as a result a volcanic eruption is caused.

Most volcanoes form and are active in the Pacific Ring of Fire. The Pacific Ring of Fire circles the Pacific Ocean. The tectonic plates are most active in the Pacific Ring of Fire which causes the most eruptions and volcanoes around it. There are over 420 volcanoes in the Pacific Ring of Fire.

The main vent is the hole at the top and it allows the magma to come out and cause a volcanic eruption. The secondary vent is a hole in the side therefore it allows the magma and lava to flow. The whole surface of the volcano is called the crater.

The difference between lava and magma is that magma is composed of molten rock and is stored in the Earth’s crust. Lava is magma that has reached the surface of our planet through a volcano vent.

There are many volcanoes on Earth. It takes 10,000 - 50,000 years for a volcano to form! There are 1,500, including the 218 under water. Eventually there will be volcanoes everywhere.

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