---
title: "What Is a Volcano"
description: "Know what a volcano is: an opening in Earth's surface where hot melted rock (lava) comes out"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/what-is-a-volcano-mt_S9SKah-yi_
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/what-is-a-volcano-mt_S9SKah-yi_.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# What Is a Volcano

Know what a volcano is: an opening in Earth's surface where hot melted rock (lava) comes out

Subject: Science · Area: Volcanoes & Earthquakes · Ages 5 to 7
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/what-is-a-volcano-mt_S9SKah-yi_

## Ready when they can

- Describe a volcano as a place where hot material comes out of the Earth
- Explain that lava is rock so hot it has melted
- Point to a volcano in a picture and describe what is happening

## Lesson: What is a volcano?

Some mountains hide something hot and secret inside them. A volcano is an opening in the ground. Hot melted rock inside the Earth pushes up and comes out. That hot rock is called lava. It glows and flows because it is so hot. A volcano is still a volcano on quiet days when no lava comes out.

*(drawing: A volcano looks like a mountain with a hole on top.)*

**Example.** Maya looks at a picture of a volcano. She sees red lava coming from the top. She knows the lava is melted rock.

**Tip.** Lava is rock so hot it melted. That is why it glows and flows like a liquid.

**Recap.** A volcano is an opening where hot, melted lava comes out.

## Practice

8 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Opens up

- [Fast & Slow Earth Changes](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/fast-and-slow-earth-changes-mt_adpdEaKEBC)
- [Ring of Fire](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/ring-of-fire-mt_bhwf_rDXQL)
- [Power of Eruptions](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/power-of-eruptions-mt_BLQ2_OXPod)
- [Active, Dormant & Extinct](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/active-dormant-and-extinct-mt_dSeFrAWE4v)
- [Earth's Layers](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/earths-layers-mt_jwElFY7Syd)
- [Types of Rock](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/types-of-rock-mt_NYA50DFcOO)
- [Inside a Volcano](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/inside-a-volcano-mt_QtIAWOcoQT)
- [Gladiators & Pompeii](https://lightmysky.com/learn/history/gladiators-and-pompeii-mt_VP9yZJ1xeP)
- [Tsunamis](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/tsunamis-mt_Wu-ftkzoiE)
- [Pompeii & Vesuvius](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/pompeii-and-vesuvius-mt_XG4RqUIXm8)