Volcanoes Facts for Kids

Volcanic bombs are large blobs of molten rock launched into the air during eruptions — some are bigger than cars.

Scientists think Mars might still have volcanic activity underground, even though its surface volcanoes seem quiet.

When lava erupts underwater, it forms rounded shapes called pillow lava because the cold water cools it into soft-looking blobs.

There are two main types of lava flow: rough, jagged "aa" and smooth, ropy "pahoehoe" — both names come from Hawaiian.

A supervolcano eruption happens only about once every 100,000 years — the last one was about 26,500 years ago in New Zealand.

Volcanic ash can melt inside jet engines and cause them to fail, which is why flights are cancelled during eruptions.

Neptune's moon Triton has geysers that shoot nitrogen gas five miles into the sky.

Scientists use seismographs to detect tiny earthquakes near volcanoes, which can warn of coming eruptions.

When hot lava flows into the ocean, it creates a dangerous cloud of acid steam called "laze" (lava haze).

Volcanic islands start life as underwater mountains called seamounts that slowly grow until they break the ocean surface.