Imagine how much heat you’d need to melt cheese. You’d need more to melt rubber. You’d need a whole lot more to melt rock. Can you believe that there’s melted rock under your feet?

This melted rock is called magma. It doesn’t burn the soles off your shoes because it’s so deep in the Earth. If it comes to Earth’s surface and spills out, it will get a new name: lava. But that probably won’t happen—unless you’re hanging out in the Pacific Ring of Fire.

The Pacific Ring of Fire is an area around the Pacific Ocean. Over 75% of Earth’s volcanos are there. The Earth’s surface isn’t all one piece like the peel of an orange. It’s made of several massive “plates” that move very slowly over time. The edges of many plates meet at the Ring of Fire. Where they crash into each other, volcanos form. Lava pours out. Then it’s time to run!

Volcanos show the incredible power of God. People cannot control them, and that is humbling. But like God, volcanos are also merciful. They give warning before they erupt. Scientists can monitor the way magma moves inside the Earth. They can check the way the volcano is tilting. That often gives them enough time to sound the alarm.