Guest Author - Alice Rienzo

Recently, there has been a flurry of activity at Mt. Kilauea, which is one of the world's most active volcanoes. The volcano has been in constant eruption since 1983; however, lava flow threatened houses in the Royal Gardens subdivision in January 2008. The National Park Service has closed all parking areas near the volcano due to hazardous gas emissions. Two small earthquakes have also been felt in the area. The Hawaiian name "Kilauea" means "spewing" or "much spreading," apparently in reference to the lava flows that it erupts.

A volcano is one of the most fascinating and beautiful forces of nature. Some estimate the number of active volcanoes to be a little over 1,500 worldwide. However, many more volcanoes have been dormant and extinct for thousands of years. The truth is no one really knows exactly how many volcanoes there are on Earth. Further complicating the issue of how many volcanoes there are, is how scientist classify volcanoes. Scientists who study volcanoes are called vol-can-o-lo-gists.

Volcanoes can be classified according to activity, size and location. The word volcano comes from the Latin word Vulcanus, which means something explosive. A volcano is an opening, or rupture, in a planet's surface or crust, which allows hot, molten rock, ash and gases to escape from below the surface.

Volcanoes can be active, dormant or extinct. Active volcanoes are exhibit frequent activity. Stromboli Volcano, off the west coast of southern Italy, has been erupting nearly continuously for over 2,000 years. It is the most active volcano in history and is often called the "Lighthouse of the Mediterranean." Dormant volcanoes are those that are not currently active, but could become restless or erupt again. Mauna Kea in Hawaii, is presently a dormant volcano, having last erupted about 4,500 years ago. However, Mauna Kea is likely to erupt again. Mauna Kea, which means White Mountain is the tallest volcano in Hawaii. Extinct volcanoes are those that scientists consider unlikely to erupt again. Kilimanjaro, located in northeastern Tanzania, with its three volcanic cones, Kibo, Mawensi, and Shira, is considered to be extinct.

Volcanoes come in many sizes. Mauna Loa in Hawaii is believed to be the world’s largest, active volcano. The smallest volcano in the world can be found in Cholula. It is about the size of a two-story house. Some volcanoes are located underwater. For example, scientists have discovered an active, underwater volcano near the Samoan Island chain. Slithering through cracks and holes in the hardened lava, scientists discovered thousands of eels. They have dubbed the site "Eel City."

Kilauea, stands above the ocean floor. It is not a large volcano, reaching a mere 1,277 meters above sea level. Kilauea is the home of Pele, the Hawaiian volcano goddess, who has been apparently very angry. Kilauea is been spewing continuously since 1983 and is quickly becoming one of the most active volcanoes in the world.