Volcanoes.Volcanoes are named after Vulcan, the Roman god of fire. Lava (from the Italian lavare (to wash) was originally used to describe water flowing after heavy rain. Pumice pumice (pŭm`ĭs), volcanic glass formed by the solidification of lava that is permeated with gas bubbles. Usually found at the surface of a lava flow, it is colorless or light gray and has the general appearance of a rock froth. , a light lava looking a little like a solid sponge, is from the Latin spuma (foam). The caldera caldera: see crater. caldera Large, bowl-shaped volcanic depression that forms when the top of a volcanic cone collapses into the space left after magma is ejected during a violent volcanic eruption. The term is Spanish for “caldron. , or opening at the top of a volcano volcano, vents or fissures in the earth's crust through which gases, molten rock, or lava, and solid fragments are discharged. Their study is called volcanology. , is from the Latin caldaria, cauldron. Fumarole fumarole Volcanic vent from which steam and volcanic gases issue. The major source of the steam emitted by fumaroles is groundwater heated by magma. Carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide are usually emitted directly from the magma. , the opening through which smoke pours, is from the Latin fumarium, a smoke chamber for ageing wine. And finally some volcano names: Cotopaxi in Ecuador from the Quechua for 'shining mountain'. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania from the Swahili for 'mountain of the god of cold'. Popocatepetl in Mexico from the Nahuati for 'smoking mountain'. |
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