Why Do Some Volcanoes Spew Lava All the Time?
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Italy's Mount Etna is not only Europe's most active volcano but also one of the largest in the world Image: Angela Platania/IPA/IMAGO |
Why Do Some Volcanoes Spew Lava All the Time?
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, volcanoes are vents, or vents, from which lava, tephra (small rocks), and steam are released to the Earth's surface. Scientists can predict volcanic eruptions. Volcanic eruptions make headlines only when large volcanoes such as Etna, Kilauea, Mt. Lou, Merapi, Eyafia Talaia Kital, and Fagra da Osiliac erupt. However, 50 to 80 volcanic eruptions can occur worldwide every year. Data from the Smithsonian Institute's Global Volcanology
Program shows that 56 volcanoes erupted worldwide in the first six months of
2023. In November 2023, the movement of magma beneath the Earth's crust
triggered hundreds of
earthquakes around the Icelandic town of Grindavik, which are also being interpreted
as a precursor to a volcanic eruption. Italy's Mount Etna is one of the world's
most active volcanoes and a cause of widespread public concern. A year ago, the
lava began to flow. Now, let's examine Etna in more detail. |
What is the duration of Mount Etna's volcanic activity?
Mount Etna is one of the most active volcanoes in Europe and
one of the largest in the world. Its recorded activities date back to 1500 BC. It
has erupted almost 200 times since then. Flights at nearby Catania Airport were
canceled
due to the recent eruption of Mount Etna. The use of cars and motorcycles was
also banned for 48 hours due to the high amount of ash on the roads. Ash can
cause slippage and increase the risk of accidents. |
Long lava-spewing Mountains
Kilauea is one of the most famous volcanoes on the island of
Hawaii for its long-term volcanic activity. This volcano has been continuously
active since 1983 for about 35 years i.e. till 2018 and after some break it
erupted again in 2021 and this process is still going on. Dokono
volcano in Indonesia started to erupt in August 1933 and this process is now
Also ongoing. In June 1922, the Santa Maria volcano in Guatemala started to
erupt, and it still does still. And Yasoor in Vanuatu first began to spew ash
around 1270 and continued to do so until June 9, 2023. 
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The U.S. Geological Survey summarizes it well:
"Volcanoes are vents or vents from which lava, tephra (small rocks), and
steam erupt to the Earth's surface." Volcanoes can occur both on land and
in the ocean. They are partly the
result of their own eruptions, but they are also involved in the general
formation of our planet. |
Andes in South America and the Rockies in North America
Mountain ranges such as the Andes in South America and the
Rockies in North America, as well as volcanoes, are formed by the movement and collision
of tectonic plates. Cinder cones, shield volcanoes, lava domes, and composite
or stratovolcanoes are the four primary forms of volcanoes. Their type is
determined by how the lava flows after the eruption and how this flow affects
the volcano and in turn how it affects the surrounding environment. |
How do Volcanoes Erupt?
Basically, it's magma, or a super-hot fluid beneath the
Earth's surface in the form of molten rock, that boils like milk from a pot on
a stove. Magma
finds its way out of the volcano and spreads through the earth and into the
atmosphere. We refer to the lava that comes out of a volcano as magma. |
Pacific Ring of Fire
Some of the most active volcanoes are located in the Pacific
Ring of Fire, which includes New Zealand, Southeast Asia, Japan, and the west
coast of the United States. This area is the epicenter of over 90% of all
earthquakes worldwide. |
Can Scientists Predict Volcanic Eruptions?
Scientists are able to predict volcanic eruptions hours, or
sometimes days, in advance. This is not the case with earthquakes, which are
more difficult to predict. Scientists use seismographic data from earthquakes
and other ground tremors, as they can be precursors
to volcanic eruptions. They monitor changes in Earth's structure, which can be
caused by the movement of magma. They also study gas emissions from volcanoes, and
changes in gravity and magnetic fields. Stay tuned for latest news, breaking news, current affairs, economic issues and world news. https://myinewsw.blogspot.com/ |
