Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Volcanoes are openings in Earth's crust where magma, gas, and ash can escape from below the surface. They are often found at tectonic plate boundaries and hotspots, and play a crucial role in shaping Earth's landscape and atmosphere.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
Volcanoes can form through divergent, convergent, and transform plate boundaries.
The Ring of Fire is a major area in the Pacific Ocean where many volcanoes are located.
Volcanic eruptions can influence global climate by releasing large amounts of ash and gases into the atmosphere.
Shield volcanoes have gentle slopes formed by low-viscosity lava flows, while stratovolcanoes have steeper profiles due to more viscous lava.
The largest volcano on Earth is Mauna Loa in Hawaii, which is a shield volcano.
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Related terms
Magma: Molten rock beneath Earth's surface that forms igneous rocks when cooled.
Tectonic Plates: Massive slabs of Earth's lithosphere that move and interact at their boundaries.
Ring of Fire: A region around the Pacific Ocean with many active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes due to tectonic activity.