Volcanoes erupt when magma finds an opening in the Earth's surface, shooting out lava, gas, and ash. This volcanic activity shapes the surface by forming mountains, islands, and other geological structures. Areas of tectonic plate movement experience more seismic activity and volcanoes, like the Pacific Ring of Fire. Common volcanic formations include cinder cones, which are small hills that typically erupt once, and stratovolcanoes, characterized by multiple eruptions and viscous lava forming tall mountains. Shield volcanoes have low viscosity lava that flows farther before hardening.

1. VOLCANOES
VOLCANOES
1. Prepare three sentences with a gap in each one. Note that the level of the sentences has to
be adequate, since the rest of the students will have to answer the fill in the gaps you have
prepared. You also have to prepare one question about the text. Remember to bring it at class
on the 6th of April.
A volcano erupts when Magma or an amount of lava finds a fissure or an opening in the Earth
surface and shoots out, usually along with a certain amount of gas and ash. Volcano eruptions
are shift at Earth surface by resulting in the formation of mountains and islands and other
geological formations. You are going to have volcanic activity in places where you have hotspots
for seismic activity, specifically in places where tectonic plates are being pushed together or pulled
apart. So, one specific example of that would be the Pacific Ring of Fire, which is specifically
around the Ring of the Pacific Ocean. There, you have a lot of seismic activity and, as a result, a
lot of volcanoes. The most common kind of volcanic formation is the “cinder cone”. “Cinder
cone” volcanoes often only erupt once and they form a small hill or mountain about 30 or 400
m. high. Another common kind of volcanic formation is the “stratovolcano”, it is characterized
by multiple eruptions and viscous lava that hardens before it flows very far. They usually result
in tall mountains. A “shield volcano” is a volcano formed by low viscosity lava. Low viscosity lava is
going to be able to flow a long way before hardens.
Volcanoes. [How do volcanoes work?]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrUfPJysohQ
(accessed May 18, 2010)