Lists of volcanoes facts for kids

Map of Earth's plate boundaries and active volcanoes

More detailed map showing volcanoes active in the last 1 million years

Volcanoes are incredible openings in Earth's surface. They let out hot ash, gases, and molten rock called lava. This article helps you explore different kinds of volcanoes and find out where they are located around the world. It's like a guide to Earth's fiery mountains!

Different Kinds of Volcanoes

Volcanoes come in many shapes and sizes. Scientists classify them based on how active they are or what they look like. Here are some common types:

• Active volcanoes: These are volcanoes that have erupted recently or are expected to erupt soon.
• Shield volcanoes: These volcanoes have gentle slopes, like a warrior's shield lying on the ground. Their lava flows easily and spreads out far.
• Stratovolcanoes: Also known as composite volcanoes, these are tall, cone-shaped volcanoes. They are built up by many layers of hardened lava, ash, and rock.
• Volcanic crater lakes: Sometimes, the top of a volcano collapses after an eruption, forming a bowl-shaped hollow called a caldera. If this caldera fills with water, it becomes a crater lake.

You can learn more about specific types of volcanoes and related topics here:

• Active volcano
• List of extraterrestrial volcanoes (Volcanoes on other planets or moons!)
• List of largest volcanic eruptions
• List of shield volcanoes
• List of stratovolcanoes
• List of crater lakes

Where Volcanoes Are Found

Volcanoes are not found everywhere. They usually appear along the edges of Earth's large tectonic plates. These plates are like giant puzzle pieces that make up our planet's outer shell. When these plates move and crash into each other, or pull apart, it can create volcanoes. Let's explore where many of the world's volcanoes are located.

Volcanoes in Africa

Africa has many interesting volcanoes, especially along the Great Rift Valley. This is a huge crack in Earth's surface where the continent is slowly pulling apart.

Volcanoes in the Americas

The Americas are home to many volcanoes, especially along the western coast. This area is part of the "Ring of Fire," a zone around the Pacific Ocean where many earthquakes and volcanic eruptions happen.

Volcanoes in Asia

Asia is a huge continent with many active volcanic regions. Countries like Indonesia and Japan are famous for their numerous volcanoes, also part of the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Volcanoes in Europe

Europe also has its share of volcanoes, especially in countries like Italy and Iceland. Iceland is particularly active because it sits on a mid-ocean ridge where tectonic plates are pulling apart.

Volcanoes in Oceania, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and Antarctica

Many volcanoes are found on islands in the vast oceans. These often form where tectonic plates meet or where there are "hot spots" in Earth's mantle. Even Antarctica has volcanoes, often hidden under ice!

See also

• Global Volcanism Program of the Smithsonian Institution (A great resource for learning more about volcanoes!)