Research on Types of Volcanoes
Types of Volcano Research
Composite Volcanoes: Composite volcanoes, also called strato volcanoes, are formed by alternating layers of lava and rock fragments. This is the reason they are called composite. Strato-volcanoes often form impressive, snow-capped peaks which are often exceeding 2500m in height, 1000sq.km in surface, and 400km3 in volume. Between eruptions they are often so quiet they seem extinct. To witness the start of a great eruption requires luck or very careful surveillance. Composite volcanoes usually erupt in an explosive way. This is usually caused by viscous magma. When very viscous magma rises to the surface, it usually clogs the crater pipe, and gas in the crater pipe gets locked up. Therefore, the pressure will increase resulting in an explosive eruption.
Examples:
Mount St. Helens - Washington State
Mount Rainier - Washington State`
Mount Vesuvius - Italy
Mayon Volcano - Luzon Island, Philippines
Shield Volcanoes:
Shield volcanoes are huge in size. They are built by many layers of runny lava flows. Lava spills out of a central vent or group of vents. Abroad shaped, gently sloping cone is formed. This is caused by the very fluid, basaltic lava which can't be piled up into steep mounds.
Shield volcanoes may be produced by hot spots which lay far away from the edges of tectonic plates. Shields also occur along the mid-oceanic ridge, where sea-floor spreading is in progress and alongsubduction related volcanic arcs. The eruptions of shield volcanoes are characterized by low-explosivity lava-fountaining that forms cinder cones and spatter cones at the vent. Famous shield volcanoes can be found for example in Hawaii (e.g.Mauna Loa and Kilauea).
Examples:
The Hawaiian Islands are perhaps the best examples of shield volcanoes on Earth. Olympus Mons is a famous shield volcano on
Composite Volcanoes: Composite volcanoes, also called strato volcanoes, are formed by alternating layers of lava and rock fragments. This is the reason they are called composite. Strato-volcanoes often form impressive, snow-capped peaks which are often exceeding 2500m in height, 1000sq.km in surface, and 400km3 in volume. Between eruptions they are often so quiet they seem extinct. To witness the start of a great eruption requires luck or very careful surveillance. Composite volcanoes usually erupt in an explosive way. This is usually caused by viscous magma. When very viscous magma rises to the surface, it usually clogs the crater pipe, and gas in the crater pipe gets locked up. Therefore, the pressure will increase resulting in an explosive eruption.
Examples:
Mount St. Helens - Washington State
Mount Rainier - Washington State`
Mount Vesuvius - Italy
Mayon Volcano - Luzon Island, Philippines
Shield Volcanoes:
Shield volcanoes are huge in size. They are built by many layers of runny lava flows. Lava spills out of a central vent or group of vents. Abroad shaped, gently sloping cone is formed. This is caused by the very fluid, basaltic lava which can't be piled up into steep mounds.
Shield volcanoes may be produced by hot spots which lay far away from the edges of tectonic plates. Shields also occur along the mid-oceanic ridge, where sea-floor spreading is in progress and alongsubduction related volcanic arcs. The eruptions of shield volcanoes are characterized by low-explosivity lava-fountaining that forms cinder cones and spatter cones at the vent. Famous shield volcanoes can be found for example in Hawaii (e.g.Mauna Loa and Kilauea).
Examples:
The Hawaiian Islands are perhaps the best examples of shield volcanoes on Earth. Olympus Mons is a famous shield volcano on