The Big Foto

A volcano is an opening, or rupture, in a planet’s surface or crust, which allows hot, molten rock, ash, and gases to escape from below the surface. Volcanic activity involving the extrusion of rock tends to form mountains or features like mountains over a period of time.

Volcanoes are generally found where tectonic plates are diverging or converging.

Volcanoes can be caused by “mantle plumes”. These so-called “hotspots” , for example at Hawaii, can occur far from plate boundaries. Hotspot volcanoes are also found elsewhere in the solar system, especially on rocky planets and moons.

Wikipedia

1 Joseph Wright of Derby (British 1734-1797). Vesuvius from Portici c.1774-76. Credit: J Brew #

2 Sometimes you cannot identified them, they are even under the snow. Glacier Peak is 3,213 meters (10,541 feet) Stratovolcano. (This is the 4th largest mountain in Washington State) Credit: J Brew #

3 Over Etna in Italy 3,226 meters. The biggest active volcano in Europe as you can see later. Credit: Sara Musicò #

4 We live close to volcanos, polluting in Japan. Mt. Fuji stands at 3,776 m (12,388 ft) high and is a stratovolcano; the last recorded eruption happened in 1708 during the Edo period. Credit: Aldas Kirvaitis #

5 It seems lava from Teide but it is light pollution in North of Tenerife, Canary Islands (Spain). Credit: Cestomano #

6 Volcano: Descabezado Grande in Chile Credit: Pablo Corvalán Meza #

7 This is a view of the Imbabura Volcano, hidden behind layers of clouds. Ecuador. Credit: Kevin Labianco #

8 The Quest was the top of Volcan Santa Maria: a 6.5 km track until reaching the top of the volcano (3,700meters). The base was located at 2,300 meters above sea level. The view from the top includes the Pacific Ocean, the city of Xela, the volcanoes: Tolimán, Santiago, Atitlán, Fuego, Agua, Acatenango, Tacaná & Tajumulco and Santiaguito that had constant eruptions. Credit: Luis Guillermo Pineda Rodas #

9 The Unicorn and the Volcano. Credit: Trey Ratcliff #

10 Halema`uma`u on Kilauea. Credit: Jon Wiley #

11 Mount Bromo (left) with an eruption Semeru volcano in the back. Credit: Nir Nussbaum #

12 Fountains of lava. Credit: Ivan Iraci #

13 Etna volcano eruption 2002. Credit: jmreymond #

14 Volcano eruption Stromboli Italy. Credit: Douglas Hopkins #

15 Another volcano eruption. Credit: Andrew Stillman #

16 Valle del Bove, Volcano Etna 2008. Credit: Giuseppe Sortino #

17 Volcanic fire 2007. Credit: Fabian Bromann #

18 Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Eruption of Kilauea Volcano at Mauna Ulu. February - March 1974. Credit: National Park Service, Photo by D.W. Peterson #

19 Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii. Credit: WildPhotons #

20 Mount Etna sight. Credit: Ivan Iraci #

21 Stromboli, Eolie Islands, Italy. Credit: Michele Aquila #

22 Lava slowly flowing from Puu Oo Crater, Big Island, Hawaii. Credit: Brian Snelson #

23 Frozen lake at icelandic collapsed volcano. Credit: Trey Ratcliff #

24 A look into the crater where you can see the continual lava dome building and minor eruptions. Credit: Jason H #

25 This road has really been closed. Initially, this sign was set up because of a lava flow ahead. Further eruptions brought more lava and the sign got surrounded by lava. The untouched road is about 50 yards away. Credit: Chris Taleye #

26 This wonderful and mystic location is located at the shore of Los Hervideros, where the lava of the Timanfaya eruption flew into the ocean. Lanzarote, Canary Islands (Spain) Credit: Gero #