Earth Science
Geological Activity from Plate Tectonics Processes
Types of Volcanoes
Study Tip
The type of a volcano determines how a volcano erupts and the types of magma they expel.
What is a Volcano?
- A volcano is a place where molten rock and gas escape from a magma chamber.
- The composition of the magma is directly related to the volcano’s shape.
- There are many different types of volcanoes that differ in height, shape, and steepness.
Study Tip
Study Tip
The same way a person may cast a shadow over another person when they stand under the sun, planets or celestial bodies that have aligned themselves cast shadows over one another as well.
The type of a volcano determines how a volcano erupts and the types of magma they expel.
The Different Types of Volcanoes
Composite Volcanoes
Constructed from felsic to intermediate rock, often very steep
Explosive eruption due to the extreme viscosity of lava, creating high pressure
Shield Volcanoes
Large, not steep, often located near intraplate hotspots or spreading centers
Non-explosive eruption, lava is fluid and spreads further, creates a less steep structure. Lava has low viscosity
Cinder Cone Volcanoes
Small, cone-shaped, steep, grows rapidly from a single eruption cycle
Usually erupts strongly once, shoots up rocks called pumice up in the air.
Composite Volcanoes:
- Constructed from felsic to intermediate rock, often very steep
- Explosive eruption due to the extreme viscosity of lava, creating high pressure
Shield Volcanoes
- Large, not steep, often located near intraplate hotspots or spreading centers
- Non-explosive eruption, lava is fluid and spreads further, creates a less steep structure.
- Lava has low viscosity
Cinder Cone Volcanoes
- Small, cone-shaped, steep, grows rapidly from a single eruption cycle
- Usually erupts strongly once, shoots up rocks called pumice up in the air
Concept Check
- What is a volcano?
- Compare and contrast the three types of volcanoes through their shapes and eruptions.
