Author:
Brennan Christina,Bhathe Vishnu Prithiv,Ellis Stephanie,Moynes Emily,Cousens Brian,Landsman Sean J.
Abstract
Volcanoes are constantly growing and changing. Every time a volcanic eruption occurs, new rock is added to the surrounding area. These eruptions play a big part in the formation and destruction of rocks as well as in shaping the Earth’s surface. Yet, we do not know everything about the histories of the volcanoes that previously existed on Earth. Volcanologists—scientists that study volcanoes—can study the types of rocks that volcanoes produce, to gain a better understanding of volcanoes. These rocks vary based on the characteristics of the volcano from which they came. Volcanic rocks are unique because we can study them to accurately discover when and how they were formed. In this article, we explain the processes that make volcanic rocks and formations look different from each other. We also discuss ways that volcanologists can determine how ancient volcanoes were made, by studying the rocks produced during past eruptions.