Question: Why are volcanoes called active even when there is no eruption?

Asked by dogan8b to Rhian on 6 Mar 2015.

2

  1. Photo: Rhian MearaRhian Meara
    answered on 6 Mar 2015:

    that’s a good question!

    We use different words to describe volcanoes but the most common words are “active” and “extinct”.

    The word “active” is used to describe a volcano that is able to erupt even if it isn’t erupting right now. An active volcano will have had at least one eruption in the last few thousand years. An extinct volcano will not have had any eruptions in the last few thousand years and is not considered able to erupt every again.

    So we use “active” to mean a volcano that *can* erupt or *is* erupting. I agree, it is quite confusing though…!

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