volcano

A volcano is a mountain that opens up to release hot molten rock and ash. Imagine a giant chimney on the Earth's surface!

When people talk about volcanoes, they usually refer to big mountains with eruptions happening at their tops. Some are active, meaning they still erupt sometimes, while others have been quiet for centuries. Volcanoes can be found near oceans or in landlocked areas. You might see pictures of volcanoes spewing lava and ash into the air. Scientists study volcanoes to understand what's happening beneath our feet and to predict when another eruption might happen.