parts of volcano

Volcanoes

The word volcano is derived from the name of Vulcano island off Sicily which in turn was named after Vulcan, the Roman God of fire.

What is a Volcano?

A volcano is a vent or 'chimney' that connects molten rock (magma) from within the Earth’s crust to the Earth's surface. The volcano includes the surrounding cone of erupted material.

Parts of a Volcano

VENTS

• Vents are openings where the lava flows.

• In the picture to the left, the vent is the area where lava is erupting from the volcano.

CRATERS• A crater is a bowl shaped indent where the vent is located. • The picture below shows the crater of a dormant volcano.

MAGMA

CHAMBER

• The magma chamber is the place the magma is stored before a volcano erupts

FLANK• A flank is

the side of a volcano.

• Flank can also be used to describe the side of a mountain.

SUMMIT•The summit of a volcano is the highest point of the volcano.

ASH CLOUD• The ash cloud is a cloud that is formed from ash and appears at the top of the volcano.• The ash is created from powdered rock and lava.

LAVA/MAGMA• Lava is magma

that has reached the Earth’s surface.

• Magma is the molten form of rock, stored deep beneath the Earth’s surface.

CONDUIT• A conduit is a pipe that magma travels through to reach the Earth’s surface. • The conduit ends at the opening, which we learned is called a vent.

• A quiet eruption moves slowly because it is low in silica and flows very easily.

• An explosive eruption has magma that is high in silica and does not flow easily. Magma builds up until it explodes out of the vent.

Benefits from Volcanoes

• Volcanic soil is rich in nutrients and very fertile for growing crops. This is a result of the minerals contained within volcanic ash settles on surrounding areas.

• They can form new land masses and islands.• Volcanoes provide geothermal energy which

besides being great for spas and recreation.