volcano
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volcano
A mountain formed by magma that rises from inside the Earth to the surface. During an eruption, lava, ash, and gases can escape.
Der Ätna auf Sizilien ist einer der aktivsten Vulkane Europas.
Mount Etna in Sicily is one of the most active volcanoes in Europe.
To talk about volcanoes, certain verbs are important. A volcano 'bricht aus' (erupts) when it becomes active. When it is not active, it 'ruht' (is dormant).
Wissenschaftler beobachten den Vulkan genau, weil er jederzeit ausbrechen könnte.
Scientists are monitoring the volcano closely because it could erupt at any time.
The state of a volcano is often described with adjectives. A volcano can be 'aktiv' (active), 'ruhend' (dormant), or 'erloschen' (extinct).
Dieser Berg ist ein erloschener Vulkan, von dem keine Gefahr mehr ausgeht.
This mountain is an extinct volcano that no longer poses any danger.
The idiom 'auf einem Vulkan tanzen' (to dance on a volcano) means to be in a dangerous situation without being aware of it or while ignoring the danger.
Trotz der politischen Spannungen feierten die Menschen weiter, als würden sie auf einem Vulkan tanzen.
Despite the political tensions, people kept celebrating as if they were dancing on a volcano.
mountain
'der Berg' and 'der Vulkan' both belong to the landscape and can look similar. A mountain is generally a high natural elevation. A volcano is a special kind of mountain that has to do with magma from inside the Earth and can erupt. Learners may confuse the words because a volcano often looks like a mountain. If only the height and the landscape are important, you say 'Berg'. If lava, ash, or a possible eruption plays a role, 'Vulkan' is more precise.
Auf der Insel besuchen die Touristen einen alten Vulkan.
On the island, the tourists visit an old volcano.
Im Urlaub liegt ihr Hotel direkt am Fuß eines Berges.
On vacation, their hotel is right at the foot of a mountain.