Since the beginning of modern science, volcanoes have attracted the attention of scientists around the world. However, it was only about 25 years ago that our understanding of the physical and chemical processes that cause volcanic eruptions increased dramatically. Thanks to our advances in geochemical and petrological sciences, we have been able to draw more accurate conclusions about why and how a volcano erupts. In general, volcanologists focus primarily on the science that explains how magma forms and moves across the Earth's surface and how specific chemical properties of the magma (and the lithosphere through which it moves) contribute to eruptive activity. Volcanic ash is also significant in volcanology, differing slightly with each eruption. Different eruptions possess different properties, such as the composition and thickness of the erupting magma, the strength of the eruption, and the gases present, which make each eruption unique (3).MagmaIn order for a volcanic eruption to occur, a substance known as must be present the magma. Magma often collects in the magma chambers (directly beneath the volcano) that feed a volcano. Magma is made up of 96% molten, or liquid, rock due to the extremely high temperatures (from 1,300 °F to 2,400 °F) present in the Earth's mantle(4). This molten rock contains lots of solids known as “rock-forming silicate minerals,” such as carbon, iron, silicon, aluminum, and magnesium, as well as many others. Although much of magma is made up of these substances, magma also contains various volatile elements that play an extremely vital role in the eruption of a volcano. Volatiles are substances with low melting points that are released as a liquid or gas when an eruption occurs, such as water, carbon dioxide, and sulfur dioxide... middle of paper... conclusionEach aspect of a volcano eruption plays a significant role when looking at the various chemical properties of a volcano. Each phase (the ascent of magma into the upper crust's magma chamber, migration to the Earth's surface, eruption, and volcanic plume) requires a specific chemical balance to occur. However, although each volcanic eruption is chemically similar, each is miraculously unique. These complex interactions only fuel the need for continued advances in our understanding of the physical and chemical aspects of the entire sequence of volcanic eruptions. Volcanoes are destructive but beautiful forms that invite exploration by the volcanologists and geochemists of today and tomorrow. Although volcano science has exploded in the last 25 years, there are still vast amounts of information to be learned about the chemistry of volcanoes.