It’s About the Lava
About 1,500 of Earth’s volcanoes are active. An active volcano is one that can erupt lava.
Some volcanoes make runny lava. The lava flows fast, like pancake batter. It piles up in thin layers. Over time, it forms low, wide mountains.
Other volcanoes erupt thick lava. It flows slowly, like toothpaste. It piles up in thick layers. Over time, it forms tall, steep mountains.
Cooling lava forms rock. That is how the Hawaiian Islands developed.
The Ring of Fire
Volcanoes are found all over Earth. Some form on land. Others rise up from the bottom of the ocean.
Most volcanoes are near the Pacific Ocean. They form a circle of volcanoes known as the Ring of Fire.
These volcanoes are found in areas where big pieces of Earth’s surface, or plates, meet. Many volcanoes are formed along such plate boundaries.
THE RING OF FIRE
Interpret the Map Name the largest plate within the Ring of Fire.