We have all read and learnt about Volcanoes in our early school days! I bet some of us even made volcanoes our science project in the school science fair, making lava burst from a small mould of mud, explaining the formation and working of volcanoes and their role behind the existence of our planet. But, apart from the basic knowledge that we all know about volcanoes, there are a few very interesting facts about volcanoes that are not known commonly by a lot of people. These facts are not only interesting but also make you wonder the beauty of nature and its creations. So, check these unknown and interesting facts about volcanoes.

Volcanoes Can Grow Really Quickly

Did you know that volcanoes can take either thousands of years to grow or can simply grow in a matter of a few nights.

The Paricutin Volcano in Mexico appeared in a cornfield on 20th February, 1943. The volcanic mountain grew 5 storeys tall in just a week’s time. By the year’s end, it was almost 336 meters tall. The volcanic mountain stopped growing in 1952 and had reached a height of 424 meters. This was the fastest a volcano had ever emerged according to geological standards.

Earth is Made From Volcanic Elements

Our planet earth is made out of a number of elements! But, did you know that about 80% of our planet, both above and below the sea is made out of volcanic materials?

The Deadly Volcanic Pyroclastic Flows

The pyroclastic flows which blasts downwards during a volcanic eruption are really deadly. These eruptions contain rock, water and ash moving down from the mouth of the volcano at a speed of hundreds of kilometres an hour. Moreover, they are extremely hot almost around 1,000 degrees C.

Only 200 Volcanic Lightenings Have Been Witnessed

Volcanic lightening is mostly caused due to the friction of ash particles in the cloud of the volcanic ash while rushing towards mouth of the volcano. Until now, only 200 accounts of such volcanic lightening have been recorded live by witnesses.

Volcanic Eruptions Trigger Other Natural Disasters

Volcanic eruptions are very dangerous. They not only cause an imbalance in the earth’s crust but also trigger a number of other natural disasters such as flash floods, tsunamis, earthquakes, rockfalls and also mudflows, each capable of claiming the lives of thousands of people living near the volcano.

The Ring Of Fire

In the world, there are a total of about 500 active volcanoes, more than 50% of which are located in the Ring of Fire, a highly active zone encircling the huge Pacific Ocean.

Mount Tambora is the Biggest Volcanic Eruption Recorded

Located in Sumbawa Island, Indonesia, Mount Tambora recorded the world’s biggest volcanic eruption in the year 1815. The eruption was the largest recorded in the span of 10,000 years. Mount Tambora erupted on the 10th of April and blowed off above 50 cubic kilometers of hot magma, only to later collapse and form a huge 1250 deep and 6 km wide Caldera, killing more than 10,000 people due to the deadly pyroclastic flows and a massive tsunami that followed the eruption.