Volcanoes

This exhibit focuses on the formation, shape and construction of volcanoes, and their relationship with Man. The shapes of volcanoes depend on which types of lava and ash they erupt.

If the visitor one day should get the opportunity to visit a volcanic area, many kinds of eruptive products are on exhibit. For example completely regular, hexagonal pillars of basalt, massive volcanic 'bombs' and bundles of thin threads of volcanic glass known as ‘Pele's hair'.

The destructive powers of volcanoes have long been known to Man. However, volcanic ash forms the ground for some of the most fertile soils on the Earth. In many cultures, obsidian, volcanic glass, has been used for making tools since ancient times.