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Since Earth's early days, volcanic eruptions have shaped our planet and now we know they have shaped other planets as well. Volcanic eruptions constitute one of the minor natural disasters on the planet Earth because they cause fewer fatalities than earthquakes and famines (Encyclopedia Britannica). Even though, scientists have estimated that at least 200,000 persons have lost their lives as a result of volcanic eruptions during the last 500 years (Yorkshire Post). A volcano is a vent in the Earth from which molten rock and gas, erupt from the inside forming a hill or mountain around the vent. There are three different types of volcanoes, active, dormant, or extinct. An active volcano is one that erupts either continually or periodically. There are several active volcanoes in the continental United States: Lassen Peak in Lassen Volcanic National Park (California), Mt. St. Helens in Cascade Range (Washington State), and Mt. Katmai (Alaska) (Yorkshire Post). A volcano that has been known to erupt within modern times but is now inactive is classified as a dormant, or sleeping, volcano. Mt. Rainier (Washington), Mt. Hood (Oregon), and Mt. Shasta (California) are examples of volcanoes in the continental United States (Hale).