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 * __ Definition Of A Volcano __**

A volcano is basically an opening in the planets crust, which allows hot magma, ash and gases to escape from below the surface of the earth. Although all volcanoes are made from hot magma reaching the surface and erupting, **__there are are three types of volcanoes on Earth.__** They are Shield volcanoes, Stratovolcanoes and Cinder Cone volcanoes. __Shield volcanoes__ have lava flows with low viscosity. This lava flows dozens of kilometres. Shield volcanoes are very wide and have smooth, sloping sides. __Stratovolcanoes__ are composed of several kinds of lava. The eruptions of rock and ash grow to gigantic heights. __Cinder cone volcanoes__ are often smaller, and come from short lived eruptions. These volcanoes are only about 400 metres high. Volcanoes are either active, dormant or extinct. Active volcanoes have erupted in the last few thousand years. A dormant volcano is one that isn’t currently erupting or active, but geologists think that it is possible that it might erupt. An extinct volcano is one that is not expected to erupt again by scientists. Volcanic eruptions can spark lightning. Physicists have long been confused as to why sand grains and other small particles can build up electrical charges as they collide with one another, sometimes discharging lightning in dust storms or plumes of volcanic ash. As some of my photos show of eruptions which have sparked lightning storms, they create terrible but awesome views.