List of extinct volcanoes facts for kids
An extinct volcano is like a mountain that used to be a fiery giant but has now gone to sleep forever. Scientists believe these volcanoes will never erupt again. They are different from "dormant" volcanoes, which are just sleeping and could wake up!
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What is an Extinct Volcano?
A volcano is a mountain that opens downward to a pool of molten rock (magma) below the surface of the Earth. When pressure builds up, magma, ash, and gases can erupt from the volcano. Extinct volcanoes are those that scientists think will never erupt again. This is usually because they no longer have a supply of molten rock, called lava, beneath them. Imagine a giant straw that used to suck up fiery liquid from deep inside the Earth. For an extinct volcano, that straw is now completely blocked or disconnected. Sometimes, an extinct volcano is no longer near a "hot spot." A hot spot is a place deep in the Earth where heat rises, melting rock and creating magma.
Extinct vs. Dormant: What's the Difference?
It can be tricky for scientists to tell if a volcano is truly extinct or just dormant.
- Extinct volcanoes are those that have not erupted for a very long time, usually over 10,000 years. Scientists believe they will never erupt again because their lava supply is gone.
- Dormant volcanoes are sleeping. They haven't erupted recently, but they still have a connection to magma deep inside the Earth. They could erupt again in the future.
Think of it like this: an extinct volcano is like an old, broken alarm clock that will never ring again. A dormant volcano is an alarm clock that's turned off, but you could still set it to ring tomorrow!
How Do Scientists Know a Volcano is Extinct?
Volcanologists, who are scientists who study volcanoes, look for clues to decide if a volcano is extinct. They check if the volcano has erupted in the last 10,000 years. If not, it's a strong sign it might be extinct. They also study the ground around the volcano. If there's no movement of magma or heat, it suggests the volcano is no longer active. A large crater, called a caldera, that hasn't erupted in tens of thousands of years is also likely to be considered inactive.
Famous Extinct Volcanoes Around the World
There are many examples of volcanoes that scientists believe are extinct. Some of them are now famous landmarks or even cities!
- Ben Nevis: This is the tallest mountain in the United Kingdom. It is the remains of a huge ancient volcano that collapsed in on itself millions of years ago.
- Hawaiian–Emperor Seamount Chain: This is a long chain of underwater mountains in the northern Pacific Ocean. Many of these were once active volcanoes that moved away from the hot spot that created them, becoming extinct.
- Huascarán: Located in Peru, this towering mountain is part of the Andes mountain range. It is an extinct volcano.
- Kyushu-Palau Ridge: This is another underwater mountain range, found in the Philippine Sea. It's made up of many extinct volcanoes.
- Mount Buninyong: You can find this extinct volcano in Victoria, Australia. It's a popular spot for hiking.
- The Nut: This unique landform is in Tasmania, Australia. It's a flat-topped hill that is the remains of an ancient volcanic plug.
- Tamu Massif: Found in the Northwest Pacific Ocean, this was once considered the largest single volcano on Earth. Scientists now believe it's a massive underwater mountain, likely extinct.
- Waw an-Namus: This is a volcano in Libya, known for its striking black ash field and three small salt lakes. It is considered extinct.
- Edinburgh Castle: This famous castle in Scotland sits on a "dolerite plug." This is the hard rock that filled the vent of a volcano that went extinct many millions of years ago. The softer rock around it has worn away, leaving the plug.
- Blue Lake (South Australia): This beautiful lake fills the crater of an extinct volcano in South Australia. Its water famously changes color with the seasons.
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