VOLCANO FORMATION (Volcanology) INTRODUCTION Volcanology is the scientific study of volcanoes, lava, magma, and related geological phenomena. A volcano is an opening in the Earth’s crust through which molten rock (magma), gases, and ash escape from beneath the surface. FORMATION OF VOLCANOES 1. HEAT AND PRESSURE IN THE MANTLE: Deep within the Earth, high temperatures and pressures cause rocks to melt, forming magma in the mantle. 2. MAGMA MOVEMENT: Because magma is less dense than the surroundin

IGNEOUS ROCKS Igneous rocks are one of the three main rock types, alongside sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. They form through the cooling and solidification of molten material, either magma beneath the Earth’s surface or lava at the surface. The term igneous comes from the Latin word ignis, meaning fire. FORMATION When magma cools slowly beneath the Earth’s crust, it produces intrusive (plutonic) igneous rocks with large, visible crystals. When lava cools rapidly on the surface, it forms extr