Volcanoes
Why some eruptions ooze and others explode, and how islands are born.
Sparks wonder about how the Earth works
5 min read · 3-5
Listen to this storyThe story
Deep under the blue ocean, a sleepy stone volcano rested. He hummed a quiet, rumbling tune as fish swam nearby.
He wore a cozy belt of green moss and a fluffy steam scarf, keeping warm in the chilly, deep water.
One morning, a deep tickle started in his tummy. Bubbles of excitement began to rise all around him.
His crown of orange lava started to glow brightly. It was time to wake up and share his inner fire with the world.
When he was calm, thick red lava oozed slowly down his sides like warm, sticky honey.
But when gas got trapped inside, he let out a spectacular, playful pop of sparkly ash into the water!
The sea sizzled and danced with colorful bubbles as the warm ash swirled around.
With a mighty, happy rumble, the volcano pushed himself upward through the water, eager to see the world above.
Thick clouds of steam billowed up as the hot lava met the cool ocean surface, making the water hiss and bubble.
Just below the surface, the rising stone peak glowed. Bright golden sunlight shone through the waves, welcoming him.
Pop! The volcano's peak broke through the waves into the warm sunlight, cooling into a brand-new island.
Birds flew over to say hello, and the proud volcano smiled, happy to have made a beautiful new island home in the sea.
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