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How to Make a Volcano With a Smoke Machine

A volcanic eruption is one of nature's most dangerous and visually stunning phenomena. Such explosions are marked by the spewing of lava and smoke from the center of the volcano. The captivating sight of that flowing smoke can be recreated safely at home using basic art supplies and a smoke machine; the kind typically used for theatre or Halloween productions.

Things You'll Need

Flat piece of wood, 2 feet by 4 feet
Handheld drill, with 1/4 inch bit
3 to 5 pounds modeling clay
Glycol
Smoke machine
Black or gray spray paint (optional)
Pebbles, rocks, sand or grass (optional)
Rubber cement (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Drill a hole about a 1/4-inch wide in the center of the board, then lay the piece of wood flat against a hard surface, such as a table or a floor.
- 2
  Sculpt the modeling clay into an inverted cone shape in the center of the board, to form the volcano's body. The middle of the cone should be hollow and large enough to fit over the smoke machine.
- 3
  Create an opening about two inches wide at the top of the cone for the smoke to flow through. Once the volcano body is formed, allow it to dry and set for at least one hour.
- 4
  Add glycol to the smoke machine, per the manufacturer's instructions.
- 5
  Pick up the volcano body and place the smoke machine in the center of the board, where the volcano body was. Set the volcano body down on top of the smoke machine. Thread the smoke machine's cord through the hole you drilled in Step 1 and pull it under the board to a power outlet.
- 6
  Readjust the board, so that its weight sits evenly, to prevent the volcano from sliding or moving on the board. To accommodate the height of the cord, and keep the board flat, you may need to set the board on coasters or small blocks of wood.
- 7
  Secure the volcano to the board once it is positioned, using rubber cement. You can also decorate the volcano body using spray paint, rocks and other garden materials. If you glue or decorate the volcano, allow the glue to dry for at least one hour before use.
- 8
  Plug the smoke machine into an electrical outlet and wait 2 to 10 minutes for the machine to warm up. Smoke will begin to flow out of the volcano's opening, once the glycol is heated. Make sure all people observing the volcano are standing at least 10 feet away from it, as inhaling the smoke from these machines can pose a health hazard.

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