What is a volcano?

Science · Volcanoes & Earthquakes · ages 5-7

Name ______________________ Date ____________

What do we call rock that got so hot it melted?
- Ice
- Dust
- Lava
What is a volcano?
- A tall mountain with lots of snow and ice on top
- An opening where hot melted rock comes out
- A big cloud that makes rain
A volcano can let out hot melted rock.
Circle one: True False
Why does lava glow and flow like a liquid?
- Because it is full of water like a river
- Because the rock got so hot it melted
- Because it is very cold
You see a picture of a mountain with red liquid flowing down. What is happening?
- A volcano is erupting with lava
- It is raining hard
- The mountain is covered in snow
Lava is cold rock that never moves.
Circle one: True False
Mia says lava is just very hot water. What did she get wrong?
- Lava is melted rock, not water
- Lava is actually cold
- Lava comes from rain clouds high in the sky
A mountain has smoke but no lava today. Is it still a volcano?
- No, it becomes a regular mountain
- No, it is only a volcano when lava comes out
- Yes, it is a volcano even when quiet

Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Lava · Lava is rock that got so hot it melted.
An opening where hot melted rock comes out · A volcano is an opening where hot melted rock comes out.
True · Yes, hot melted rock, called lava, can pour out of a volcano.
Because the rock got so hot it melted · Lava glows and flows because the rock got hot enough to melt.
A volcano is erupting with lava · That red liquid is lava, hot rock that melted inside the volcano.
False · Lava is hot melted rock, so it can flow and move.
Lava is melted rock, not water · Lava is melted rock, not water, even though it can look wet.
Yes, it is a volcano even when quiet · A volcano stays a volcano, even when no lava is coming out.