Volcanoes
Found at tectonic plate boundaries, volcanoes are fissures in the Earth’s crust from which lava and hot gases erupt, often dramatically. They are found all over the world, but are frequently found clustered in locations where plates converge or diverge, such as at the Pacific Ring of Fire. Volcanoes are classified as being active, dormant or extinct, depending on their frequency of eruptions. Volcanic eruptions often have devastating consequences, and can trigger earthquakes and tsunamis.

Volcanoes across the globe are now erupting. Should we be worried?

With volcanic activity being reported everywhere from Iceland to Italy, should we be concerned that a catastrophic event is coming?
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In pictures: The electric-blue lava pouring from Earth’s strangest volcano

The luminous blue lava found on Java is caused by the sulphuric gasses burning in the oxygen-rich air once they reach the surface.
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Eruption Island: Inside Iceland’s explosive new surge of volcanic activity

The Reykjanes Peninsula in southwest Iceland has recently become a hotbed of volcanic activity. Why is this happening, and how worried should we be?
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Scientists unlock the secret to finding hidden rare pink diamond mines

A new discovery triggers a hunt for the Earth’s secret diamond-filled stretchmarks.
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In pictures: The most iconic volcanic eruptions of 2021

Volcanologist Prof Bill McGuire takes a closer look at some of the iconic eruptions that took place in 2021.
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What would happen if all volcanoes on Earth erupted at once?

Fortunately, this is vanishingly unlikely to happen.
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What the once-in-a-lifetime eruption can teach us about the history of Mars

The eruption of the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano is thought to be a once-in-a-lifetime event. Now, scientists studying the explosion are uncovering information that may help us better understand Mars's volcanic past.
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In pictures: The volcanic eruption devastating La Palma

A large volcanic eruption devastates the island of La Palma in the Canary Islands.
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How do tsunamis form?

Here’s how one of Earth’s most destructive forces come to be, in five steps.
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Volcanoes, climate change and rock records: Chris Jackson's Royal Institution Christmas Lecture

In the first of three lectures broadcast over the festive season, geologist Chris Jackson will reveal what the Earth can tell us about its past, present and feature.
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Study Science 2020: 6 of the most exciting jobs in science

Considering studying science at university but not sure what to do once you graduate? Here’s our pick of some of the most exciting careers in science right now.
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Venus has at least 37 recently-active volcanoes

It was previously thought that the planet had cooled down too much to show volcanic activity.
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Is there anywhere that’s completely bacteria-free?

Asked by: Sachin Shaw, via email
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Asteroid impact ‘only plausible explanation’

Researchers say an asteroid caused an impact winter for decades, and that the environmental effects destroyed suitable environments for the creatures.
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Mysterious Martian landforms made by mud, not lava

Mars's freezing temperatures led to unusual shapes that would never form on Earth.
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5 things that’ll shake up what you know about them

These explosive geological features are amongst the most powerful forces in nature, and the most spectacular.
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What happened when White Island erupted?

On 9 December 2019, the volcano on White Island in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty explosively erupted. Volcanologist Bill McGuire takes us through what happened.
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Computer model may help to more accurately predict volcano eruptions

Model applied to historical data gathered from Campi Flegri in Italy were able to correctly forecast the location of historical vents.
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6 of the most extreme jobs in science

From crocodile behaviourist to faecal transplant technician, we look at some of the most extraordinary jobs in science.
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Can magma be mined for ores and metals?

Mama Mia, here I flow again.
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Five "facts" about planet Earth that are completely wrong

In his new book Everything You Know About Planet Earth is Wrong (Batsford), Matt Brown exposes the fiction behind some of the things we learnt in geography class.
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