Book 12, Question 15
What Makes a Volcano Go Dormant or Extinct?
Scientists sort volcanoes into three groups: active, dormant, and extinct. Each group tells us how likely a volcano is to erupt, and scientists decide using many clues. Even a sleeping volcano needs watching, just in case.
More fun facts
- Scientists call volcanoes active, dormant or extinct based on how recently they erupted and whether they may erupt again.
- A dormant volcano is not erupting now but is considered likely to erupt in the future.
- Scientists often use 10,000 years as a cut off when deciding if a volcano is active.
- Some volcanoes rest for more than 10,000 years between eruptions.
- For some volcanoes, scientists do not know enough history to say for sure when they last erupted.
Sources: National Park Service, U.S. Geological Survey, NASA Space Place
Questions kids ask
Can a dormant volcano erupt?
Yes. Dormant means it is not erupting now but could in the future.