Fiery Mountains
The west coast of North America forms part of the Pacific "Ring of Fire", a geologically active area. Volcanoes are formed when molten rock under pressure breaks through weak
points in the earth's crust. The mountain forms from the accumulation of erupted lava,
ash and rock fragments. Most of the earth's volcanoes occur along the boundaries between
tectonic plates; these areas also experience earthquakes.
Igneous rocks form when magma (molten rock) crystallizes, either at the earth's surface
(for example, basalt) or below it (for example, granite).
Photo source USGS
Volcano Links
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