Volcanoes
The U.S. Geological Survey defines a volcano as a vent in Earth's surface, either on land or on the seafloor, from which molten rock called magma, as well as ash and gases, can erupt or ooze. Different types of volcanoes erupt in different ways, with some erupting spectacularly and others, most notably Hawaii's shield volcanoes, steadily oozing lava. There are different types of volcanoes, including stratovolcanoes, shield volcanoes and cinder cones, and different types of lava and other volcanic flows. Volcanoes can be active, dormant or extinct. Most of Earth's volcanoes are located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, where many of Earth's tectonic plates subduct beneath another plate. Currently volcanic eruptions cannot be predicted, though most of the big, active volcanoes are routinely monitored and authorizes warn when they think an eruption is likely. Read below for the latest news on volcano monitoring and research, current volcanic eruptions and to see amazing pictures of volcanoes.
Latest about Volcanos
Massive New Zealand eruption 1,800 years ago flung volcanic glass 3,000 miles to Antarctica
By Sascha Pare published
Scientists disagree about the timing of the Taupō volcanic eruption — one of the largest on Earth in the past 5,000 years — but shards of glass discovered in Antarctic ice could settle this debate.
Volcanoes like Kīlauea and Mauna Loa don't erupt like we thought they did, scientists discover
By Sascha Pare published
The magma that erupts from basaltic volcanoes in the middle of tectonic plates originates from within Earth's mantle — rather than from the outer crust — and is propelled upward by CO2, not water.
Iceland's newest volcano is now spewing out tornadoes
By Sascha Pare published
As well as tornadoes, loud bangs sounding across the Reykjanes Peninsula indicate that pockets of methane within the lava are exploding.
One of the world's most active volcanoes is spewing out weird rings of smoke
By Harry Baker published
Dozens of circular loops made from smoke and volcanic gas are rising from a peculiar vent on Mount Etna every day.
Iceland's 'baby volcano' is still spewing lava rivers, in a tantrum visible from space
By Jennifer Nalewicki published
Drone footage captures Iceland's "baby volcano" throwing a hissy fit, spewing molten lava into the sky.
Lava outburst 3 times the size of Texas may have triggered Snowball Earth 717 million years ago
By Sascha Pare published
Massive eruptions 719 million years ago in what is now Canada may have sucked enough CO2 from the atmosphere to freeze Earth over 2 million years later.
Watch as crater collapses in Iceland's new volcano, spewing rivers of lava
By Kiley Price published
Iceland's newest volcano, located in the Reykjanes peninsula, began erupting in early July, 2023. Now it's throwing "spatter bombs'" of molten lava.
Scientists discover ancient, underwater volcano is still active — and covered in up to a million giant eggs
By Sascha Pare published
Researchers discovered that an underwater volcano nearly a mile beneath the surface off the Pacific coast of Canada is spouting hot fluid, providing a little-known species of skate with an ideal nursery.
Earth's newest 'baby' volcano is painting Iceland's Fagradalsfjall region with incandescent lava
By Sascha Pare published
An eruption opened a 1.7-mile-long fissure in the ground on Monday (June 10), with lava still spewing and flowing south towards the site of the region's last volcanic eruption.
Were Neanderthals really killed off by Campi Flegrei, Europe's awakening 'supervolcano'?
By Cameron Duke published
The volcano beneath Italy erupted 40,000 years ago and had catastrophic impact on Earth's climate — around the same time that the Neanderthals began their slow march to extinction.
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