The reason for the moving earth plates is because only the outmost layer of the earth is solid. Underneath there is semifluid material on which the earth plates float like a boat. Radioactive elements fall into pieces in the earth core and by that semifluid material rises through heat until it reaches the mantle of the earth where it cools down and sinks back down to the earth core. This process is called the convection currents. These currents move the plates a few centimetres every year. Very interesting is also that the earth is the only planet in the solar system with moving continental plates.

So if these movements cause cracks or rifts, it can happen that liquid magma is thrown out. When it reaches the earth surface gases escape and it becomes lava. The temperature is about 500° to 1200° when it gets thrown out. After that it cools down. Through this cooling process huge hills are formed which we all know as volcanoes.

Structure of a volcano

Deep down every volcano has a magma chamber. In this magma chamber fills up with liquid fused rock and volcanic gases. As soon as the magma chamber is filled up, the magma makes its way through the volcano vent to the earth`s surface. The end of the volcano vent is called crater. There are a few different craters.

Kilauea, Hawaii

The Kilauea volcano is based on Hawaii (Big Island). Scientist appreciate that this volcano was arised 200.000 years ago. But he was visible many years later when he appeared above the water surface, about 50.000 years ago. He is nowadays the most active volcano on the planet and since 1983 permanently active. Despite his constant activity the Kilauea can be visited by tourists.

Mount Etna, Sicily

Mount Etna is Europe’s most active volcano. He`s located at the eastside of Sicily. No other volcano has such a large population density around. Through his constant activity, many people have constantly been exposed to many dangers like earthquakes, ash clouds or lava flows. In 2002 he caused major damage to the landscape and facilities around the province of Piano Provenzana. 2013 was he`s last big volcano eruption where he throwed lava over half a kilometer in the air. With a height of 3.323 m the volcano is also popular for many mountaineers. Mount Etna can be climbed by tourists but only in company with a mountain guide. Because of his height Mount Etna is also covered with snow. There are also two ski areas that allow a special kind of skiing experience, but hopefully without any volcano eruption

Popocatepetl, Mexico

With an altitude of 5.462 meters the Popocatepetl is at the same time the second highest mountain of Mexico. There is also another volcano “Iztaccihuatl” which is known as Popocatepetl’s twin volcano but he is considered extinct. Mexico City is only 60 kilometres away from the volcano, and this often leads to problems. If there is a volcano eruption, depending on the strength, different sized ash clouds are formed. Through rain the ash covers the surrounding environment, this leads in glassy roads, clogged sewage system, closed airports and much more. Since 2000 there was again and again a volcano eruption, in fact in 2007, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016. His last outbreak was on the 19 of September 2017 with an ash cloud over a kilometre in the sky. Due to its many outbreaks in recent years, it is considered one of the most active volcanoes in the world.