A Guide for Volcano Enthusiasts

A simple definition of a volcano would be to call it a mountain. Though many volcanoes resemble mountains, they are not formed in the same way. Mountains are formed when the Earth's crust is pushed upwards from two colliding continental plates. Volcanoes however, are formed along the boundaries of colliding or separating plates. When two oceanic plates collide, molten rock (magma) rises up and forms new seafloor or volcanic islands. When oceanic and continental plates collide, the oceanic plate is pushed under and magma forces its way through the earths crust. A volcano is then formed from the lava, rocks, ash, and other substances that have escaped the earths crust.

There are many different types of volcanoes, including a large number of underwater volcanoes. The most well known type of volcano is the stratovolcano, resembling mountains; these volcanoes form during hundreds of years of erupting lava layers that then cooled. Mount St. Helens in Washington is one example of a stratovolcano. Volcanoes can be found all over the world, but they are grouped together, forming along the edges of colliding plates. Most of the active volcanoes in the world can be found along the Ring of Fire, an area along the borders of the Pacific Plate. Japan, New Zealand, and the west coast of North and South America are all part of the ring.

Since early human history, volcanoes have been a source of wonderment; looked on by ancient people as representations of their gods. Though the science of volcanoes is now understood, their majesty and power is still respected and admired; looked at as a chance to see the awesome, destructive, and raging force of nature and its ability to quickly change the natural landscape. Volcano observatories around the world, actively research the science behind volcanoes, studying a volcanoes history and potential to erupt again. Volcanoes position as one of the most beautiful and terrifying natural wonders has also inspired tourism. Today people visit volcano parks and monuments on all corners of the globe, climbing extinct volcanoes and taking adventure tours to active volcanoes. Volcano enthusiasts actively keep up with current volcano eruption alerts and track photos and videos of volcanoes. Exploration of volcanoes has also expanded to study volcanoes on Earth's moon, Mars, and other planets in the solar system. 

Volcano Observatories

• Alaska Volcano Observatory: This observatory uses satellite and seismic data to monitor volcanoes on the Aleutian Islands and Alaska Peninsula.
• Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Established in 1912, this observatory is responsible for monitoring Kilauea, Mauna Loa and other volcanoes in Hawaii.
• Montserrat Volcano Observatory: Located on the Caribbean Island Montserrat, this observatory monitors, educates, and reports on the active Soufrière Hills volcano.
• Volcano Research Center of Japan: Through observatories, laboratories, and research the center works to track Japan's active volcanoes and predict eruptions.

 Current Eruptions

• Global Volcanism Program: As part of the Smithsonian Institution, this program reports on all active volcanoes both past and present with volcano maps, data, imagery and publications. Every Wednesday a report is issued for all current volcanic activity and eruptions.
• International Volcano Research Centre: Daily updated news covers all currently erupting or restless volcanoes in the world. Reports and status alerts also provided.
• Volcano Status Map: This nationwide map issues up to date activity alerts for volcanoes in the United States.
• Volcano Watch: Satellite images of some of the worlds most active volcanoes are updated every half hour.

Volcanoes around the World

• Thinkquest: A small database for kids, covering some of the world's volcanoes.
• Volcano World: Extensive database providing volcanos by region, name, country or location.
• Volcano Location Data This massive database contains information on over 1,500 volcanoes.
• Volcanoes of the World: List of volcanoes with active eruptions in the past and ancient volcanoes.

Volcano Pictures and Videos

• Dialogue for Kids: Watch video shorts and full episodes about volcanoes courtesy of this educational science program from Idaho Public Television.
• Earth Observatory: Volcano satellite imagery, data, and pictures released by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration is useful for expanding volcano knowledge.
• Kilauea: Mountain of Fire: The world's most active volcano is explored in this video series from the prestigious NATURE series from the Public Broadcasting Service.
• Volcano Cams: View live footage of volcanoes in the United States, New Zealand, Italy, and other regions of the world.

Volcanic Parks and Monuments

• Mount Kilimanjaro National Park: The tallest mountain in Africa, this inactive volcano is one of the most climbed in the world.
• Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument: Mount St. Helens is one of the most well known active volcanoes in the United States. This 100,000 acre monument allows for exploration and education.
• Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument: Located in Arizona, visitors to this national monument can walk through a lava trail.
• Vesuvius National Park: Mount Vesuvius is continental Europe's only active volcano and has an eruption history stretching back for thousands of years.

Volcanoes of Other World

• Volcanoes of the Solar System: Take a tour of volcanoes found on other planets in the Milky Way galaxy.
• Volcanism on Other Worlds Find out about volcanic features on Mars, Venus, and the Earth's moon.
• Volcanoes on Venus: Venus has far more volcanic activity than any other planet in the galaxy and has thousands of active volcanoes.