Answer:
The word "volcano" comes from the little island of Vulcano in
the Mediterranean Sea off Sicily. Centuries ago, the people
living in this area believed that Vulcano was the chimney of the
forge of Vulcan -- the blacksmith of the Roman gods. They
thought that the hot lava fragments and clouds of dust erupting
form Vulcano came from Vulcan's forge as he beat out
thunderbolts for Jupiter, king of the gods, and weapons for
Mars, the god of war. In Polynesia the people attributed
eruptive activity to the beautiful but wrathful Pele, Goddess of
Volcanoes, whenever she was angry or spiteful. Today we know
that volcanic eruptions are not super-natural but can be studied
and interpreted by scientist.
