Volcanoes Facts for Kids
Explosive facts about volcanoes and geology
A phreatic eruption happens when groundwater comes into contact with hot magma or volcanic rock and instantly flashes to steam, creating a powerful steam explosion. These eruptions can happen with little warning even at volcanoes that seem quiet.
Whakaari (White Island) in New Zealand is the world's most accessible marine active volcano and was a popular tourist destination. In December 2019, an unexpected phreatic eruption killed 22 tourists and hikers who were on or near the crater.
Some scientists believe that life on Earth may have first appeared around ancient hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor, powered by volcanic heat. The warm, chemical-rich water from these vents could have provided the energy and building blocks needed to spark the first living cells.