Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is a vent in relation to shield volcanoes?
What is a vent in relation to shield volcanoes?
Hot basaltic magma erupts here, so hot it may flow great distances.
What characterizes the gentle sloping sides of shield volcanoes?
What characterizes the gentle sloping sides of shield volcanoes?
Built where there has been no explosive activity (no ejected fragments).
How is a shield volcano formed?
How is a shield volcano formed?
Formed by frequent, gentle eruptions of thin and runny lava.
Where are shield volcanoes typically found?
Where are shield volcanoes typically found?
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What is the height range of shield volcanoes?
What is the height range of shield volcanoes?
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What are the characteristics of Mauna Loa?
What are the characteristics of Mauna Loa?
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Study Notes
Shield Volcanoes Overview
- Characterized by gentle sloping sides due to non-explosive eruptions.
- Formed by frequent eruptions of thin, runny lava, allowing it to flow over long distances.
Key Components
- Vent: The opening where hot basaltic magma erupts, enabling extensive lava flow.
- Gentle Sloping Sides: Created in environments without explosive volcanic activity, preventing the ejection of fragments.
Locations and Formation
- Commonly located along constructive plate boundaries or hotspots, demonstrating their association with tectonic activity.
Measurements and Characteristics
- Shield volcanoes can exceed 5000 meters in height from the crust to the ocean and reach over 4100 meters from ocean level to the summit.
Example: Mauna Loa
- Dimensions: 180 km wide, 110 km diameter at sea level, and a circumferential measurement of 16 km.
- Summit altitude of 4171 meters above sea level, maintaining active volcanic status with significant lava flows recorded in the 2000s.
- Slope angle maintained at approximately 6 degrees, indicative of the gentle profile typical of shield volcanoes.
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Description
Test your knowledge about shield volcanoes with this informative quiz. Explore key terms such as vents, gentle sloping sides, and the characteristics of shield volcanoes. Perfect for students learning about geology and volcanic formations.
