What do Jejudo, Sicily, and Hawaii share in common? They are all islands formed by volcanic activity. Volcanoes, named after Vulcan, the Roman fire god, are immensely powerful and can create large islands or obliterate cities like Pompeii. This makes it essential to study and comprehend them. The exact number of volcanoes worldwide remains uncertain. Scientists estimate there are approximately 1,500 active volcanoes above sea level, with many more hidden beneath the ocean's surface, which complicates their identification. Nevertheless, researchers have successfully discovered a significant quantity of these underwater volcanoes thus far.

Many volcanoes on Earth are situated along the Ring of Fire, which encircles the Pacific Ocean. This ring spans approximately 40,000 kilometers and hosts around 75% of the planet's active volcanoes. Indonesia is particularly notable, with over 120 active volcanoes due to its location on the Ring of Fire. This region is also where the majority of the world's earthquakes occur. In 1943, while working on a cornfield in Mexico, farmers experienced a surprising event when a volcano emerged overnight. Observers witnessed the volcano, named Paricutin, grow to over 100 meters in height within just one week. Its growth continued until it reached a final height of 424 meters in 1952. Although one might assume volcanoes exist solely on Earth, they have also been identified on other planets, including Mars and Jupiter. Notably, Olympus Mons on Mars is recognized as the largest known volcano in the solar system, with a volume approximately 100 times greater than that of Mauna Loa, the biggest volcano on Earth.

Volcanoes are powerful natural phenomena that can pose significant risks to human life and property. They can cause injuries and destruction of homes, as well as damage to crops and disruptions to air travel. Additionally, volcanic eruptions can have profound impacts on global climate. When a volcano erupts, it can release large amounts of ash and dust into the atmosphere, blocking sunlight from reaching the Earth and altering typical weather conditions. One notable example is Mt. Tambora, located on the island of Sumbawa in Indonesia, which erupted in 1815, resulting in the deaths of over 10,000 people and leading to a remarkably cold summer worldwide the following year. Despite these dangers, volcanoes also offer benefits to humans. The fertile soil found near volcanoes is excellent for agriculture, and many volcanoes attract millions of tourists seeking breathtaking views, such as Mt. Halla in Jejudo, Mt. Etna in Sicily, and Diamond Head in Hawaii. Furthermore, countries like Iceland harness geothermal energy from their volcanoes to generate electricity. People globally are now exploring ways to coexist with volcanoes, fostering hope for discovering improved strategies in the future.