What is the difference between mountains and volcanoes

Similarities exist between mountains and volcanoes. However, there is a difference in their formation. A mountain results from various geological processes such as movement and opposition of tectonic plates. On the other hand, a volcano forms around a vent when magma flows out and reaches the surface of the earth. A mountain results from the movement and opposition of tectonic plates.

Upon collision, tectonic plates form pointed peaks and valleys. The earth's crust outer layer is composed of six massive slabs known as tectonic plates. Tectonic plates are always in motion, often moving several centimeters annually. Due to the collision pressure, some of the land mass is pushed upwards forming a mountain.

A volcano results from collection of lava after several volcanic eruptions. Hot magma flows through a vent and cools upon reaching the surface of the earth. A volcanic mountain is made up of lava and piles of rocks. There are two categories of volcanic mountains: shield volcanoes and stratovolcanoes.

Steep rising cones characterize stratovolcanoes. During their formation, the magma has high viscosity thus cools fast and does not spread far from the vent. Kilimanjaro qualifies as both, mountain and volcano. Volcano Quick Facts: Mauna Loa in Hawaii is the tallest volcano in the world — Mauna Loa is over 33, ft tall from its base under the sea to its peak above sea level.

Magma is the liquid rock within the volcano, once the magma comes out of the volcano is then called Lava, if lava cools quickly it becomes basalt a form of igneous rock. Currently we have over volcanoes that are active. These volcanoes have the potential to erupt. The largest volcanic eruption experienced by mankind was back in when Mount Tambora on Sumbowa Island erupted Mount Tambora located Indonesia. The soil around volcanoes is rich and fertile, that is why so many people live around volcanic areas.

There are volcanoes active in the United States. Yellowstone National Park is deemed to have United States most dangerous volcano. The mountain itself is not a volcano. The mountain continues to erode. As volcanoes erupted near A Mountain, around 25 million years ago, they left evidence of their activity in the form of different rocks. Magma-formed mountains form when pressure from below forces the crust upwards and creates peaks, but the magma fails to reach the surface. Volcanoes, on the other hand, form from the accretion of lava after repeated volcanic eruptions.

Pupils will understand that mountains are not homogeneous; not only can they look different, but they can be formed in different ways. In lesson four, pupils will understand how volcanoes, another type of mountain, are formed and where they are located. Again, the role of plate tectonics will be central to this understanding.