Why can’t we throw all our trash into a volcano and burn it up?

Volcanoes might seem like nature’s incinerators, but using them to burn up trash would be dangerous and disrespectful to indigenous people who view them as sacred.

By: Emily Johnson, U.S. Geological Survey, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: February 28, 2026

Words: 795

Last Updated: 1 week, 4 days ago

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By Emily Johnson, U.S. Geological Survey

Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to curiouskidsus@theconversation.com.

Why can’t we throw all our trash into a volcano and burn it up? – Georgine T.

It’s true that lava is hot enough to burn up some of our trash. When Kilauea erupted on the Big island of Hawaii …

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