What is a volcano?

1. a mountain or hill, typically conical, having a crater or vent through

which lava, rock fragments, hot vapor, and gas are being or have
been erupted from the earth's crust.
2. A volcano is a vent or chimney which
transfers molten rock (known as magma)
from depth to the Earth's surface through
eruptions. Magma erupting from a volcano
is called lava. Lava builds up around the
vent and forms a cone.

A volcano is a vent or chimney which transfers molten rock (known as magma) from depth to the Earth's surface through
eruptions. Magma erupting from a volcano is called lava. Lava builds up around the vent and forms a cone.

A volcano is currently active if it is erupting lava, releasing gas or generating seismic activity. An active volcano is labelled
dormant if it has not erupted for a long time but could erupt again in the future. When a volcano has been dormant for more
than 10 000 years, it is considered extinct. Volcanoes can remain inactive, or dormant, for hundreds or thousands of years
before erupting again. During this time, they can become covered by vegetation, making them difficult to identify.

How explosive a volcanic eruption is depends on how easily magma can flow or trap gas. If magma is able to trap a large
amount of gas, it can produce explosive eruptions.

Volcanoes can have many different appearances. Some volcanoes are perfect cone shapes while others are deep depressions
filled with water. The shape of a volcano provides clues to the type and size of eruption that occurred. Eruption types and
sizes depend on what the magma is made up of. Three common volcano forms are:

Shield volcano

Shield volcanoes have a broad, flattened dome-like shape created by layers of hot and runny lava flowing over its surface
and cooling. When magma is very hot and runny, gases can escape easily. Eruptions of this type of magma are gentle, with
large amounts of magma reaching the surface to form vast lava flows.

Because the lava flows easily, it can move down gradual slopes over great distances from the volcanic vents. The lava flows
are slow enough for humans to outrun or outwalk them. This type of magma ranges in temperature between 800 °C and
1200 °C and is called basaltic magma.

Examples of shield volcanoes in the Asia-Pacific region include Taveuni Volcano in Fiji, Dunedin Volcano in New Zealand
and Tweed Volcano in Australia.

Composite volcano (Strato)

Also known as strato-volcanoes, composite volcanoes are formed from explosive eruptions. These eruptions create steep
sided cones.

When magma is slightly cooler it is viscous (thick and sticky), which makes it harder for gas bubbles to expand and escape.
The magma in these eruptions has higher silica content than the magma that forms shield volcanoes. When there is high
concentration of silica in lava, the silica molecules link together by sharing oxygen atoms. These bonds are very strong and
make the liquid magma act more like a solid.
Examples of composite volcanoes in the Asia-Pacific region include Mayon and Pinatubo volcanoes in the Philippines,
Tambora, Merapi and Sinabung volcanoes in Indonesia and Mount Ruapehu and Mount Taranaki in New Zealand.

Caldera volcano

These volcanos erupt so explosively that little material builds up near the vent. Eruptions partly or entirely empty the
underlying magma chamber which leaves the region around the vent unsupported, causing it to sink or collapse under its
own weight. The resulting basin-shaped depression is roughly circular and is usually several kilometres or more in diameter.
The lava erupted from caldera volcanoes is very viscous and generally the coolest with temperatures ranging from 650 °C
to 800 °C and is called rhyolitic magma. Although caldera volcanoes are rare, they are the most dangerous. Volcanic hazards
from this type of eruption include widespread ash fall, large pyroclastic surges and tsunami from caldera collapse.

Examples of caldera volcanoes in the Asia-Pacific region include Rabaul Volcano in Papua New Guinea and Krakatoa
Volcano in Indonesia.

Volcanic hazards

Volcanic hazards include explosions, lava flows, bombs or ballistics, ash or tephra, pyroclastic flows, pyroclastic surges,
mudflows or lahars, landslides, earthquakes, ground deformation, tsunami, air shocks, lightning, poisonous gas and glacial
outburst flooding known as jökulhlaups. Each hazard has a different consequence, although not all occur in all eruptions or
in association with all volcanoes.

Volcanic eruptions are measured using a simple descriptive index known as the Volcano Explosivity Index (VEI) which
ranges from zero (non-explosive) to eight (catastrophically explosive). The index combines the amount of material ejected
(by volume) with the height of the eruption column and the duration of the eruption.

Volcanic activity frequently occurs at the boundaries of the Earth's tectonic plates. The movement of these plates plays a
significant role in the type of volcano formed, which influences its shape.

Spreading plate margins

Areas of the Earth where plates move away from each other are called spreading or divergent plate margins. In these areas,
volcanic eruptions are usually gentle extrusions of basaltic lava. Most of these eruptions occur underwater where magma
rises from great depth below to fill the space created by seafloor spreading. This occurs at a rate of about 10 centimetres a
year.

Subducting plate margins

At subducting plate margins, one plate is pushed under a neighbouring plate as they squeeze together. In these margins, wet
sediment and seawater is forced down in addition to the old, weathered plate. The addition of this sediment and seawater
creates andesitic lava and more violent eruptions containing ash. These volcanoes form classic cone shapes.

Hotspot volcanoes

Locations of anomalous volcanism (i.e. forming at great distances from plate boundaries) are commonly referred to as 'hot
spot' volcanoes. There are two currently debated explanations of how this volcanism is generated:

1. from hot mantle upwellings or plumes which rise from great depth (hence the term 'hot spot')
2. from passive rising of melt from shallow depths that is not actually anomalously hot.
Examples include Hawaii, Iceland and Yellowstone. If the plate overlying the plume moves away from the hot spot, a new
volcano can be formed. The previous volcano cools to become dormant and eventually extinct. This sequence forms a
volcanic chain such as with the Hawaiian Islands

Sometimes volcanoes can be two types. Iceland is an example of a volcano that falls into two categories. It is a spreading
plate margin volcano as well as a hotspot volcano.

Volcanoes in Australia

Active volcanoes generally occur close to the major tectonic plate boundaries. They are rare in Australia because there are
no plate boundaries on this continent. However, there are two active volcanoes located 4000 kilometres south west of Perth
in the Australian Antarctic Territory: Heard Island and the nearby McDonald Islands.

The other active volcanoes nearest Australia are in Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Indonesia and the Philippines. Gas-
rich sticky magmas dominate the Asia Pacific, making composite volcanoes and calderas the most common varieties in the
region. These types of volcanoes severely threaten lives, property, agricultural lands and lifelines throughout south east Asia
and the Australian region.

Predicting eruptions

Understanding how volcanoes work and how their eruptions can be predicted is essential for the well-being and preservation
of people who inhabit volcanically vulnerable areas. Eruptions can occur without any preceding signals, making them
extremely difficult to predict. However, sometimes there are useful clues for judging when a volcano is likely to erupt.

A volcano's eruptive history can provide some clues. However, because only a small number of the world's volcanoes have
a known history it is extremely difficult to predict future eruptions, particularly for certain types of volcanoes. Scientists use
the repose period, or the time between eruptions, to indicate the expected size and strength of an eruption. Consistently long
repose periods may indicate that a volcano's eruptions are usually large and explosive. However, sometimes there is no clear
relationship in the length of time between eruptions and the nature of the eruptions.

Earthquake activity around a volcano can provide valuable information. An eruption can be preceded by hundreds of small
earthquakes know as earthquake swarms. Earthquakes also can indicate that magma is moving beneath a volcano. However,
eruptions can occur with no perceivable change in seismic activity.

Small changes in the shape of a volcano such as bulging may indicate that magma is rising. Accurately measuring the summit
and slopes of a volcano is one of the most important tools used for forecasting an eruption. Temperature changes in surface
lakes or the groundwater near a volcano also can be a valuable early detection tool, although not all large changes in
temperature are related to volcanic eruptions.

Gases emitted at, or near a volcano may show that a magma chamber is refilling or that a new type of magma is rising from
depth. Changes in the volume or type of volcanic gases produced also may be an indicator of magma activity.

 Volcanic ash clouds can damage aircraft engines but ash is not visible by radar, the main navigation aid for
aircraft. There are nine Volcanic Ash Advisory Centres around the world which use satellites to help track
volcanic ash clouds and provide warnings for aircraft. The Bureau of Meteorology operates Australia's Ash
Advisory Centre.
 On average, one or two eruptions each year worldwide originate from volcanoes with no previous historical
activity or after being dormant for thousands of years. The most violent eruptions occur after long periods of
inactivity. Eruptions from these types of volcanoes represent some of the worst natural disasters.
 The interior of many volcanoes stay hot for a long time. This heat can warm underground water in the vicinity
of the volcano. The heated water then reaches the surface to form geysers, fumaroles, bubbling mud pools and
hot springs. They also create occurrences of sulphur and other mineral deposits.
  There is a volcanic province in southeast Australia called the Newer Volcanics Province, which is a collection of
volcanoes (almost 400) covering a 15 000 square kilometre area. The most recent eruptions were around 5000
years ago at Mount Schank and Mount Gambier. The area is considered dormant, which means it is not
currently active, but could become active at any time.
 There are also active volcanoes located 4000 kilometres south west of Perth on the Australian territories of
Heard Island and McDonald Islands. There have been several eruptions in recent years, however, these
eruptions have not affected mainland Australia.
 Volcanic eruptions are measured using a simple descriptive index known as the Volcano Explosivity Index (VEI)
which ranges from zero (non-explosive) to eight (catastrophically explosive). The index combines the amount of
material ejected (by volume) with the height of the eruption column and the duration of the eruption.

http://www.ga.gov.au/scientific-topics/hazards/volcano

6 Most Active Volcanoes in the Philippines

Since we are optimistic, we’d say that the Philippines is “blessed” with hundreds of
volcanoes (both named and unnamed, including potentially active and inactive ones), 20
of which are categorized as active. PHIVOLCS explains that the country “sits on a unique
tectonic setting ideal to volcano formation,” also known as the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Although the image of a volcanic eruption is quite scary, volcanoes are actually some of
the most beautiful natural spectacles in the world, featuring unique profiles and supporting
life around them. While the volcanoes are dormant, they are a great place to truly
appreciate nature and enjoy some nature-loving activities like trekking and photography.

If you’re feeling adventurous, here are some of the most active volcanoes in the
Philippines that are also some of the most attractive tourist spots in the country.

Mayon Volcano

Standing at 2.46 kilometers high, Mayon Volcano is surrounded by three cities in Albay province,
about 11 hours away from Manila if you travel by car. It has a record of 51 eruptions, with the
most violent being recorded in February of 1814.

Mayon Volcano has captured the attention of the world in many ways. With its almost perfect
conical shape, it is undeniably one of the most beautiful volcanoes and most photographed in the
world. Even now that it is drawing residents away, this volcano still attracts a lot of admiring
spectators.

Taal Volcano

Located in Batangas, Taal Volcano is also one of the most interesting volcanoes the Philippines
has. Ironically, as a caldera volcano, it’s also the deadliest. Technically speaking, Taal Volcano is
a volcano island contained inside Taal Lake which is also bounded by Taal Caldera 25 kilometers
wide. On Taal Volcano island is the main crater lake which is 80 meters deep. Its most memorable
eruption was in 1754, which lasted for almost seven months devastating the nearby Lipa and
Tanauan in Batangas.

Taal Volcano is only about two hours away from Manila via Talisay or San Nicolas, Batangas.
Taal Volcano and Lake is a very famous sight from the high ridge of Tagaytay. Trekking at the
volcano island is also a very popular activity.

Mount Kanlaon

With a total of 30 recorded eruptions, Mount Kanlaon is the third most active volcano in the
Philippines. It is 2.43 kilometers high and is located in Negros Oriental, near Bacolod City. Most
of its eruptions have been considered phreatic and mild, characterized mainly by ashfalls. It was
only in 1902 when the volcano erupted with lava.

Mount Kanlaon regularly attracts tourists who seek adventure in hiking or relaxation in its hot
springs. There are three hot springs around the volcano, namely, Mambucal Hot Springs, Bucalan
Hot Spring, and Bungol Hot Spring. Visitors can reach Kanlaon for two to three hours by land
from Bacolod City.

Mount Bulusan

A neighboring volcano of Mayon in the Bicol region, Bulusan Volcano is located in Sorsogon
province, in the southern part of the region. Most of its eruptions have been phreatic, which means
that little damage was caused to the nearby towns. Ash explosions are very common to Bulusan
Volcano, which can last for months to a few years. Its worst eruption was recorded in 1918 which
lasted until 1922, causing some landslides and lava flows.

Mount Bulusan has gifted its surrounding towns with natural hot springs that both locals and
tourists can enjoy. Trekking is also a very common activity, letting hikers find amazing views of
the ocean and a sea of clouds. The nearest airport is in Legazpi City, Albay, where you have to
take a four-hour bus ride going to Bulusan.

Mount Hibok-Hibok

Standing on Camiguin Island in the Bohol Sea, Mount Hibok-Hibok is a young volcano and
relatively a small one compared to the other stratovolcanoes in this list, with a base diameter of 10
kilometers. It has five eruptions in recorded history, the most significant of which is the
consecutive eruptions from 1948 to 1953, which killed hundreds of citizens nearby.

Hiking is a common activity at Mount Hibok-Hibok. Camiguin Island can be reached via boat
from Cagayan De Oro.

Mount Pinatubo

Located within the boundaries of Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales, Mount Pinatubo is one of the
most famous volcanoes in the country. While it has only had two recorded eruptions, one has been
the most historic and devastating eruption in the Philippines. The 1991 eruption displaced tens of
thousands of locals and affected the whole Luzon island. It was the second largest eruption of the
20th century (next to Novarupta in Alaska).

Now, Mount Pinatubo is a beautiful scenery and source of livelihood for the people around it. The
place is often brimming with tourist activities like trekking, camping, relaxing at the hot spring,
volcanic mud spa, and more. Pinatubo is only two to three hours away from Manila.

http://primer.com.ph/travel/2018/02/18/6-most-active-volcanoes-in-the-philippines/

What is the difference between an active, erupting, dormant and extinct volcano?

What is the difference between an active, erupting,

dormant and extinct volcano?
An active volcano is a volcano that has had at least one eruption during the past 10,000 years.
An active volcano might be erupting or dormant.

An erupting volcano is an active volcano that is having an eruption...

A dormant volcano is an active volcano that is not erupting, but supposed to erupt again.

An extinct volcano has not had an eruption for at least 10,000 years and is not expected to erupt
again in a comparable time scale of the future.