Deep underground, the Earth has really hot melted rock called magma.

Sometimes, pressure builds up like a shaken soda can.

When the pressure gets too strong, the magma bursts out through a hole in the ground —this is a volcano erupting!

When magma comes out, it's called lava. Lava flows down the sides of the volcano.

The lava cools down and hardens, making the volcano bigger and taller.

Volcanoes can also shoot out ash, rocks, and gas into the sky.

Not all volcanoes erupt often-some are sleeping (dormant), and some are completely dead.

Volcanoes are found in places where the Earth's plates crack or bump into each other.

They can be dangerous, but they also help make new land and good soil for plants!

Volcanoes are like nature's fireworks-super powerful and super cool!