How Volcanoes Work and Where They Form
Ever wondered why some places have volcanoes whilst others don't? Volcanoes typically form along plate margins where the Earth's crustal plates either move towards or away from each other.
When magma (molten rock beneath the Earth's crust) reaches the surface, it erupts to form a volcano. The main parts include the magma chamber where molten rock is stored underground, the main vent (channel through which magma travels), and the crater at the top where magma erupts from.
There are two main types: composite volcanoes and shield volcanoes. At destructive margins, plates move towards each other, whilst at constructive margins, plates move away from each other - both can create volcanic activity.
Did you know? Mount Aso in Japan is one of the world's most active volcanoes, showing how dangerous these geological features can be!