Volcanoes
Why do volcanoes erupt?
Duration: 1:58
Why do volcanoes erupt? Join our little explorer on a trip deep under our feet to discover the secret of volcanoes!
In short
A volcano erupts when magma, hot melted rock from deep under our feet, is pushed up by gas bubbles, a bit like a shaken bottle of soda. When it comes out, magma is called lava: it is about ten times hotter than boiling water. Lava cools down into brand new rock, building mountains and even islands. Most volcanoes are asleep, and scientists called volcanologists watch them to keep everyone safe.
What you will learn
- What magma is and where it comes from
- Why gas bubbles push magma up, just like a shaken bottle of soda
- What happens during an eruption
- Why lava is about ten times hotter than boiling water
- How lava cools down and becomes brand new rock
- How volcanoes build mountains and even islands
- Why most volcanoes are fast asleep
- Who volcanologists are and how they keep everyone safe
Let's talk about it
Questions to ask after watching, at home or in class. Tap a question to see a short answer.
What is magma, and where is it hiding?
Magma is hot melted rock. It hides deep under our feet, below the Earth's crust.
Why does a shaken bottle of soda help us understand an eruption?
Gas bubbles push the magma up and out, just like bubbles push soda out of a shaken bottle.
What happens to lava when it cools down?
It cools down and hardens into brand new rock.
