A volcano is a vent in the Earth’s crust from which eruptions occur. There are about 1500 potentially active volcanoes worldwide. When volcanoes erupt they can spew hot, dangerous gases, ash, lava and rock that can cause disastrous loss of life and property, especially in heavily populated areas. It is the expulsion of gases, rock fragments, and molten lava within the Earth through a vent on the Earth’s surface or into the atmosphere. Illustration of the basic process of magma formation, movement to the surface, and eruption through a volcanic vent.
