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The most powerful eruptions can release more energy than millions of atomic bombs, and they can launch ash and gas up to 25 miles high.
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There are different types of volcanoes, including shield volcanoes (wide and gentle slopes), stratovolcanoes (steep and explosive), and cinder cone volcanoes (small but steep).
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Around 1,500 active volcanoes exist worldwide, many of which are located along the "Ring of Fire" around the Pacific Ocean.
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Lava can reach temperatures of up to 2,200°F (1,200°C) and can move at speeds of over 30 miles per hour (48 km/h) in some cases.
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Mount Vesuvius in Italy famously erupted in 79 AD, burying Pompeii and Herculaneum. Krakatoa, in 1883, caused one of the most destructive eruptions in history.
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Volcanic eruptions create fertile soil, which is why volcanic areas are often ideal for farming.
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Volcanoes are not just found on Earth. Jupiter's moon Io has the most active volcanoes in the solar system, and Mars has the largest volcano, Olympus Mons, which is about 13.6 miles (22 km) high.
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