Mount Merapi volcano: our kids' guide to volcanoes

STOP PRESS...STOP PRESS...This story has been updated for October 2010.

Have you been watching the news about the Merapi volcano in Indonesia that's started to erupt? Read on to find out more about the volcano and the science behind it...

The volcano is on Mount Merapi. It's on Java, an island which is part of Indonesia, thousands of miles away from the UK.

Click here for a map.

Merapi means 'mountain of fire'. It measures about 2,900 metres at its peak (the very top). The last eruption was in 2006.

© David Sentanu.

Mount Merapi is one of 129 active volcanoes which circle the Pacific Ocean. Together they're known as the 'Ring of Fire'.

This amazing photo, taken from space, gives you some idea of just how awesome these volcanoes are! Merapi is the bottom one.

© Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

Have you ever shaken a bottle of fizzy pop with the lid on, and felt the gas build up inside?! All that pressure pushing upwards is rather like what's happening inside Merapi right now.

This photo shows smoke pouring out of another volcano, this time in Monserrat, close to the 'Ring of Fire'. Can you see how holes have appeared in the volcano's side?
© British Geological Survey.

Merapi had been rumbling for about a month, with lava flow increasing over the past few days. A 'dome' or lid of lava formed on top of the volcano.

Lots of mini explosions shot out black smoke, volcanic ash and lava before the volcano finally erupted.

Here's the Montserrat volcano again, in 1997. This evening photo shows the lava flowing down the hill. It's called the Soufrière Hills volcano.

© British Geological Survey.

Volcanologists (that's scientists who study volcanoes to you and me) had been warning that Mount Merapi would blow again and so far about 20 people have died from the 20 thousand or so people, many of them farmers, who live near the volcano.

One of the most famous volcanic eruptions in history happened in Italy almost 2000 years ago.

This was when the city of Pompeii was smothered when nearby Mount Vesuvius exploded in AD79. Just hours later, the city and its people were buried under 9 feet of volcanic ash.

Do you remember the Doctor Who episode about Pompeii?

© Aschwin Prein.

This photo above shows bodies at Pompeii preserved by the ash. Because the eruption was so sudden, thousands were killed. A thick layer of ash settled over the buildings and bodies, keeping it all very well preserved.

Pompeii is an incredible place to visit but you can find out more about volcanoes from the comfort of your own home thanks to the UK's museums...

On Show Me we've got a feature on how make your own erupting volcano at home, courtesy of The Manchester Museum.

The Natural History Museum website has great info and even an interactive called, make your own volcano!

For amazing volcano pictures, see CBBC's Newsround.

© The Natural History Museum.

Why not have a go at making one and send in pics of your handiwork for our Show and Tell page?

Or maybe you've been to Pompeii or visited a volcano? Write and tell us all about it as we'd love to hear from you.