INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT VOLCANOES
The term volcano originated from the name Vulcan, the Roman god of fire. A volcano forms when there is a rupture or natural occurring opening in the Earth’s crust that allows melted rock called magma, volcanic ash, and gases to escape from below the surface.
Many people think of conical mountains with lava flowing down its sides when the term volcano comes to mind. However, this is only one of several types of volcanoes that exist. Composite or strato volcanoes form between alternating layers of lava and rock fragments and they form into various types of shapes including large conical, concave, pyramidal, convex-concave, helmet-shaped, collapsed, nested, elongated, and even some with multiple summits.
Shield volcanoes consist almost entirely of lava flow. Broad flat layers of lava form sheets that cool down, with subsequent eruptions accumulating additional sheets over ones previously made. These types of volcanoes are large in area but have a low profile, which resembles a warrior’s shield.
A complex or compound volcano is a volcano with more than one feature. This type of volcano is the least predictive as it may change the way that it erupts or its consistency. It may have more than one vent with each vent erupting differently.
Some volcanoes form beneath glaciers while other volcanoes develop well below the surface of the ocean. A submarine volcano is one that starts beneath the surface of a body of water, typically in an ocean. When submarine volcano builds substantially such that it projects above the ocean’s surface, it forms an island or a small chain of islands, such as the Hawaiian Islands.
There is a major series of active submarine volcanoes in the Pacific Ocean called the Ring of Fire. Its’ horseshoe-shaped ring extends to roughly 25,000 miles. It consists of more than 450 active and dormant volcanoes, which represents more than 75 percent of the world’s volcanoes.
While many people associate harm and destruction when they think of volcanoes, there are also some benefits of volcanoes that people have learned to capitalize on. One of the chief benefits of a volcano is its rich volcanic soil. Rain naturally weathers and breaks down volcanic tephra, which contains powerful nutrients in the ash and is beneficial to plant growth.
Submarine volcanoes form habitable islands in various locations with unique characteristics. Besides being habitable, the Hawaiian Islands are in a strategic military position serving as a gateway between North America and Asia.
There are certain gems and building materials that only come from the deposits left by volcanoes. Gemstones produced include opals and obsidian. Tuff is a hardened volcanic ash that is a lightweight durable material used in concrete.
Regions of volcanoes produce large amounts of geothermal energy, such as areas including Iceland and Costa Rica. The thermal energy is usable to produce electricity and natural spas. Geothermal energy is environmentally friendly and cost-effective to produce.
The Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica is a beautiful and marvelous natural wonder to see. Situated in the northern lowlands and is tall, loud, and flashy. It is one of the ten most active volcanoes in the world as it emits lava and ash on a regular basis. This large symmetrical volcano stands 5,437 feet that formed from multiple layers of lava, rock, and ash. After 400 years of dormancy, the Arenal Volcano became active and regular beginning in 1968.
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