Volcanic Eruptions
Volcanic eruptions are fascinating natural
event.
Deep within the Earth, it's incredibly hot, so
much so that some rocks melt into a thick,
flowing substance known as magma. Because
magma is lighter than the solid rock
surrounding it, it rises and accumulates in
areas called magma chambers. Over time, the
pressure builds up as more magma collects.
Eventually, the pressure becomes too great,
and the magma finds a way to the surface
through vents and fissures in the Earth's
crust. Once it reaches the surface, magma is
referred to as lava. The type of eruption—
whether it's explosive or a steady flow of lava
depends on the magma's composition.
