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Volcanoes. What is a Volcano?. A volcano is a vent in the earth’s crust through which hot gas, ash and molten rock flows. How do Volcanoes Form?. Subduction Zones. Hot Spots. Magma/Lava. Magma : molten rock located underground Lava: Molten rock that has reached the surface. Viscosity.
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What is a Volcano? A volcano is a vent in the earth’s crust through which hot gas, ash and molten rock flows.
How do Volcanoes Form? SubductionZones
Magma/Lava Magma: molten rock located underground Lava: Molten rock that has reached the surface
Viscosity Viscosity is the resistance to flow of a fluid. The viscosity of magma is determined by the amount of silica present.
High Viscosity Magma High amounts of silica results in thick slow moving magma with high gas content
Low viscosity Magma Low amounts of silica results in thin, runny magma with low gas content
Types of Volcanoes Shield Volcano Shield volcanoes are commonly found at divergent plate boundaries and oceanic hot spots. Shield volcanoes are large with gently sloped sides. The magma is mainly composed of basaltic magma which has a low viscosity.
Cinder Cone Small steep sided volcano which erupts gas-rich basaltic lava. It is formed when highly viscos magma is thrown into the air from the vent, cooling and breaking into fragments upon hitting the ground.
Composite Volcano Composite volcanoes, sometimes called stratovolcanoes are characterized by large steep sides which are a result of repetitive explosive eruptions of andesitic and rhyolitic lava and ash. This type of volcano is mainly located along subduction zones.
Pyroclastic Flow Explosive volcanoes can produce avalanches of hot gasses, ash, and rock. Pyroclastic flows can reach speed in excess of 100 km/h with temperatures greater than 10000 C.
Classification of Pyroclastic Material Ash Diameter less than 2 mm
Lapilli Diameter from 2 mm to 64 mm
Lava Block or Bomb Diameter greater than 64 mm
Lahars Melted snow or ice creates a mudflow that rushes down the volcano at speeds in excess of 100 km/h
Caldera Following an eruption, the walls of a volcano are weakened and collapse into the vent and form a large crater shaped basin called a caldera.