Since the dawn of modern science, volcanoes have attracted the attention of scientists around the world. However, it was not until about 25 years ago that our understanding of the physical and chemical processes behind volcanic eruptions improved significantly. With our advances in geochemical and petrological sciences, we have been able to more accurately conclude why and how a volcano erupts. In general, volcanologists focus primarily on the science that explains how magma forms and moves toward the Earth's surface, and how the specific chemical properties of magma (and the lithosphere through which it moves) contribute to eruptive activity. Volcanic ash is also important in volcanology, differing slightly with each eruption. Different eruptions have 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). Magma For a volcanic eruption to occur, a substance known as magma must be present. Magma often accumulates in the magma chambers (directly beneath the volcano) that feed a volcano. Magma is 96% molten or liquid rock, due to the extremely high temperatures (1,300°F to 2,400°F) located in the Earth's mantle(4). This molten rock contains many, many solids called “rock-forming silicate minerals,” such as carbon, iron, silicon, aluminum, and magnesium, as well as many others. Even though a large portion of magma consists of these substances, magma also contains various volatile substances that play an extremely vital role in the eruption of a volcano. Volatiles are substances with low melting points that are released in liquid or gas form during an eruption, such as water, carbon dioxide, and sulfur dioxide...... middle of paper .. .... conclusion Each aspect of a volcano eruption plays an important role in observing the different chemical properties of a volcano. Each phase (rise of magma in the upper crustal 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 volcanic eruption sequence. Volcanoes are destructive but magnificent landforms that demand to be explored by volcanologists and geochemists of today and tomorrow. Although volcanic science has exploded over the past 25 years, there is still vast amounts of information to learn about the chemistry of volcanoes..