Deep below some places on Earth, rock is hot enough to melt. Melted rock underground is called magma.
Fun fact: Not all underground rock is melted; much of Earth's rock stays solid.
Explore magma, lava, different eruptions, and how scientists help people prepare.
How Does a Volcano Erupt?
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Magma can rise through cracks toward the surface. When it reaches the surface, we call it lava.
Fun fact: Magma and lava are names for melted rock in different places.
Volcanoes do not all erupt the same way. Some let lava flow out; others send up ash and broken rock in an explosive eruption. The magma and its gases help decide what happens.
Fun fact: Volcanic ash is made of tiny pieces of rock and glass—not the soft ash left by a campfire.
Scientists watch volcanoes for signs of change, such as earthquakes and swelling ground. Their work helps nearby communities prepare and stay safe.
Fun fact: A volcano can change in ways that instruments detect before people can see a change.