Volcanoes
The U.S. Geological Survey defines a volcano as a vent in Earth's surface, either on land or on the seafloor, from which molten rock called magma, as well as ash and gases, can erupt or ooze. Different types of volcanoes erupt in different ways, with some erupting spectacularly and others, most notably Hawaii's shield volcanoes, steadily oozing lava. There are different types of volcanoes, including stratovolcanoes, shield volcanoes and cinder cones, and different types of lava and other volcanic flows. Volcanoes can be active, dormant or extinct. Most of Earth's volcanoes are located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, where many of Earth's tectonic plates subduct beneath another plate. Currently volcanic eruptions cannot be predicted, though most of the big, active volcanoes are routinely monitored and authorizes warn when they think an eruption is likely. Read below for the latest news on volcano monitoring and research, current volcanic eruptions and to see amazing pictures of volcanoes.
Latest about Volcanos
Were Neanderthals really killed off by Campi Flegrei, Europe's awakening 'supervolcano'?
By Cameron Duke published
The volcano beneath Italy erupted 40,000 years ago and had catastrophic impact on Earth's climate — around the same time that the Neanderthals began their slow march to extinction.
Ground beneath Italy’s awakening 'supervolcano' rose 66 feet before its last eruption
By Ben Turner published
In 1538, the ground beneath the Campi Flegrei supervolcano rose by six stories. Then it burst.
Yellowstone supervolcano magma chamber has far more melted rock than thought
By Sascha Pare published
Scientists have worked out the consistency of the magma under the Yellowstone caldera using seismic waves — and the reservoir is filled with "mush" that doesn't pose an imminent eruption threat.
Hawaii's erupting Kilauea volcano is spewing 'vog' and may launch dangerous glass shards
By Kiley Price published
Hawaii's Kilauea volcano started erupting last week. Wind around the eruption site could carry volcanic smog and thin glass shards across the Big Island.
The 12 biggest volcanic eruptions in recorded history
By Tia Ghose published
From Krakatoa to the Tonga blast, here are some of the biggest volcanic eruptions in recorded history.
Europe's most dangerous 'supervolcano' could be creeping toward eruption, scientists warn
By Ben Turner published
Italy's Campi Flegrei is showing some troubling early warning signs, but scientists caution that its eruption is far from certain.
Yellowstone volcano super-eruptions appear to involve multiple explosive events
By Hannah Osborne published
The last caldera-forming eruption at Yellowstone "was much more complex than previously thought," according to the annual report about activity at the supervolcano.
Scientists discover giant crater from ice age explosion that has methane-spewing mud volcano inside it
By Sascha Pare published
The Borealis Mud Volcano is only the second found in Norwegian waters and releases a continuous stream of methane-rich, muddy liquid from deep below Earth's crust.
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