Volcanoes are like sleeping giants. After years or even centuries of resting, they wake up—and they erupt.
Some powerful eruptions blow the tops off mountains, flatten out forests, and dam up rivers. Some eruptions have killed tens of thousands of people. A few eruptions have buried cities, and others have buried mountains. Some big eruptions have even changed the world’s weather for years.
Volcanoes also play a role in shaping the Earth. Their activity builds islands, mountains, plains, lakes, and the ocean floor.
Despite the dangers of active volcanoes, people often live near them. Farmers like the soil volcanoes create. Some of our favorite foods—like chocolate—come from plants that grow best in volcanic soil.
Come learn about volcanoes—on land, under the seas, and in outer space.
