CAN WE PREDICT VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS
Today through are many active volcanoes worldwide. Is there anything we can do to predict how and when they will erupt?
As the world's population grows, more and more people are living in potenially dangerous volcanic areas volcanic eruptions continue, as they have throught out history-posing ever greater threats to fill and property. Mt. Rainier 100ms over the Seattle and Tacoma area, endangering a population of more than three million people. South of Mexico City, Popocatepetl has begun to come to life again, putting a million nearby residents at risk. Another million people living in the Naples area are threatned by Mt.Vesuvius's unrest. The need for planning is urgent.
HOW VOLCANOES FORM?
Deep inside earth, between the molten iron core and the thin crust at the surface, through is a solid body of rock called the mantle. When rock from the mantle melts, moves to the surface through the crust and releases pent up gases, volcanoes erupt.
MAGMA TO LAVA...
Extremely high temperature and pressure cause the rock to meet and become liquid rock or magma. When a large body of magma has formed, it rises throught the denser rock layers toward earth's surface. Magma that has reached the surface it's called lava.