Types of Volcanoes

Key Questions

• What are the major types of volcanoes and what eruptions are typical at each type?

  There are actually three types of volcanoes namely shield, cinder and composite cones.

  The shield cone looks like an inverted semi-sphere. This type of volcano does not burst out violently. Instead, it slowly expels rivers of lava for hundreds of meters, One good example of it is Mauna Loa, located in the volcanic islands of Hawaii. This volcano only slowly flows lava from its crater, and forms so called "ropes of cooled lava".

  The cinder type looks like a medium-sized cone inverted. Violent eruptions may occur, but in rarity due to its small crater. And add that feature that it lacks "branches" to expel small rivers of lava. One example of that is Taal Volcano, a small volcano located in an island at Batangas, Philippines.

  The composite cone is the famous of all, bearing the shape of a real cone (but not always perfect). In this type, more violent eruptions are more possible, due to its size and plenty of " branches" in its sides. To name a few, we have Pinatubo, St. Helens, Vesuvius, Fuji, Krakatoa, and scores of others.

  I hope you were enlightened. Please beep me back for other concerns.

  Thank you!

  Teddz C. · 1 · Dec 19 2014
• How does the shape of a volcano relate to the average viscosity of the eruptive products of that volcano?

  Answer:

  Higher viscosities will lead to less flow, and therefore higher peaks on smaller bases. The general conical shape will not change.

  Explanation:

  Viscosity is the resistance of magma to flow when subjected to a force. In general, the viscosity of magma increases as the silica content increases from basalt to rhyolite. http://www.gso.uri.edu/lava/MagmaProperties/properties.html

  SCooke · 1 · Mar 11 2016

• What are the distinguishing characteristics of a stratovolcano?
• What are the distinguishing characteristics of a shield volcano?
• What is a caldera? How are they formed?
• What are three examples of shield volcanoes?
• What is a shield volcano? What types of eruptions are common at shield volcanoes?
• What is a cinder cone? What eruptive styles are common at cinder cones?
• What type(s) of eruptions are common on stratovolcanoes?
• How does the shape of a volcano relate to the average viscosity of the eruptive products of that volcano?
• What are the major types of volcanoes and what eruptions are typical at each type?
• What type of volcano is Hawaii?
• Does Italy have mostly composite, shield, or cinder cone volcanoes? Or, does it have a pretty equal amount of all three?
• Which type of volcano is built of alternating layers of lava flow, ash, and cinders?
• Question #e0279