Enter a place where earth processes are in motion all the time. Where
the night can be light up by fire and steam from the ancient gods. No, this
isn't some mythologic place, it is the Hawaiian Islands. Volcanoes are one
major geologic hazard that occurs in our world and Hawaii is one of their
homex. A volcano is a hill or mountain constructed by the extrusion of lava
or rack fragments from a vent.
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Magma builds up in chambers
beneath the crust and push the molten rock through these vents becoming
lava flows. The Hawaiian Islands were formed in this way. The build-up of
the lava on the sea floor eventually pushed above the surface of the water
to form the Hawaiian Island Chain.
The second type is the composite volcano,
which is constructed with every other layer being either rock fragments
produced by volcanic explosions and rock solidified from lava flows. Composite
volcanoes are built up over many hundreds of thousands of years and can
be very severe when they explode.
Each volcano has its own eruption, some explode
gases into the air while others pour molten lava all over the surface. These
eruptions cause a great danger to anyone in its path. Trees and vegetation
ignite on fire and tumble down. Homes and property can be consumer and the
loss of life can be tremendous. Sometimes its the after effects of the eruption
that cause so much damage. Ashes and soot can float in the air for months,
affecting the sunlight. Toxic gases can kill animals and plants. Huge mud
slides can form on the sides on the volcano, bringing a rush mass of dirt,
trees and soil towards residencies and cities. Volcanic eruptions are one
of natures great hazards. They can't be stopped or controlled. People just
have to respect the awesome power with which the fire mountains can send
rivers of fire down the hillside.
