Why do volcanoes erupt?
The imminent eruption of Mayon Volcano and the recent acting up of Mt. Bulusan and Canlaon and other volcanoes around the world pose questions on why volcanoes erupt. It is imperative that the common man, particularly those who live near volcanoes understand why they do erupt and learn basic facts about this phenomenon. An eruption occurs when magma rises from its source or from a storage reservoir and finally reaches the Earths surface. As it rises, the magma fractures overlying rocks, which causes earthquakes, and parts of the volcano deform as magma approaching the surface makes room for itself. From: Brantley and Topinko, 1984, Earthquake Information Bulletin, v.16 no. 2.
