Volcanoes
Location
The main features of volcanoes
Volcanoes are found along constructive and destructive plate boundaries. When two plates move apart 鈥 constructive - the cracks in the crust allow liquid rock, called magmaMolten rock that is found within the Earth., to rise from the mantleA zone of hot rock in the interior of the earth located between the outer crust and the molten core. It has the properties of a solid, although it can also flow, very slowly. through the Earth鈥檚 crust, to the surface. When this molten rockLiquid rock melted by the earth's heat. reaches the surface it is called a volcanic eruptionWhen a mountain with a hole in the top expels lava, ash, gas and other materials..
Magma at the surface is called lavaMolten rock that is released from the Earth's core in a volcano or fissure. and it cools and solidifies into solid rock. This process can repeat itself over many years forming a cone-shaped mountain or volcano.
Destructive plate boundaries involve two plates moving towards each other. The heavier plate is forced down below the lighter plate, into the mantle, where it melts.
The molten rock rises up to the surface through cracks in the rocks creating a volcanic eruption. These eruptions are usually very explosive because they are mixed with gases.