If scientists are right in determining that the core of the earth is extremely hot, then volcanoes must be the vents that allow the planet to cool off by releasing that steam which builds up in closed quarters.  A volcano is typically described as a crater or rupture in the planet's surface which permits hot ash, molten lava and lethal gases to escape from below the surface.  Volcanoes are formed from the tectonic plates that hold planet earth together in the spot where they move apart or collide into each other.  One of the largest tectonic plates is the seam that holds the floor of the Pacific Ocean together and forms the Pacific Ring of Fire, which encompasses the islands of Hawaii, Japan and the Philippines.

What causes a volcano to erupt remains a mystery to scientists, but what happens when plumes of ash and lava are spewed into colossal geysers from the mouth of the volcano is well documented by scientists and eyewitnesses.  Volcanic eruptions release a number of elements into the earth's atmosphere including acid rain, irritating aerosols, and greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and sulfur.  These gases can be deadly and preclude the lava flow that is oftentimes sure to follow.

Lava is an intriguing element.  It is very pliable and volatile when it is brutally hot, but once it cools, it turns into solid rock which settles and expands the borders of the surrounding land.  Volcanoes have been responsible for making the Canary Islands off the coast of Spain and the numerous islands which come under the umbrella of Indonesia.  Land made form lava is very fertile.  It is able to nurture sprigs of plant life and vegetation, and thus showing that volcanoes ballistic nature takes a positive turn in the aftermath of its blistering singes.

A few volcanoes remain active today and are closely monitored including Mt. Saint Helen in Washington State, USA, Mt. Fuji in Japan, Krakatau in Indonesia, Montserrat's volcano, Mount Mayon in the Philippines, and Mounts Etna, Vesuvius and Stromboli in Italy.  Volcanoes are a sight to behold, preferably from a safe distance.  They have a history of being temperamental, unpredictable, and highly volatile, and yet, they look so serene when they are dormant and settle in making the landscape appear much more majestic.  Volcanoes are the breathing holes for planet earth, and without them, the planet would suffocate being trapped in closed quarters.  They are an integral part of nature and a necessity to maintain planet's earth health.