Volcanoes

A Volcano is…

• A geographic feature on the Earth’s surface (as well as other planets) where magma erupts through the Earth’s surface.

• Volcanoes tend to exist on or near plate boundaries, however there are exceptions.

• There are three different types of volcanoes as geologists have classified them. Each will be discussed briefly in this presentation.

Shield Volcano

• Shield volcanoes are built almost entirely of fluid lava flows, which flows and hardens over time.

• This creates a mellow slope, a volcano which resembles a warriors shield, which is where it got its name.

• Some of the largest volcanoes in the world are shield volcanoes.

Picture of a Shield Volcano

Composite/Strato Volcano

• Composite, also known as stratovolvanoes are large, steep sided volcanoes built of alternating layers of lava flows, volcanic ash, and cinders.

• Composite volcanoes have a magma reservoir deep in the Earth’s crust from which the magma rises.

Picture of a Composite Volcano

Cinder Cone Volcano

• Cinder cone volcanoes are the simplest type of volcano.

• They are built from blobs of congealed volcanoes ejected from a single vent.

• Most Cinder cones are relatively small, most of them being less than 1000 feet.

Picture of a Cinder Volcano

Our Model Volcano

• Our model volcano is most like a Cinder Cone Volcano, in that it has very steep sides.

• Our volcano may or may not shoot out magma as a cinder cone would.

• Our model, in reality has some characteristics of both stratovolcanoes and cinder cones. Overall, however, I think it resembles a cinder cone more closely.

Works Cited

• http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/glossary• http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/imgs/jpg/photogl

ossary/shieldvolcano• http://www.swisseduc.ch/stromboli/glossar

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