Volcano Classification: Lava, Eruption, Frequency

• Volcanoes classification depends on lava type, eruption style, and eruption frequency.

Based on Lava Type:

• Basaltic volcanoes produce low-viscosity basaltic lava, flowing easily as seen in shield volcanoes like Mauna Loa, Hawaii.
• Andesitic volcanoes erupt more viscous andesitic lava, causing moderate explosions, exemplified by Mount Fuji, Japan.
• Rhyolitic Volcanoes feature highly viscous lava, leading to explosive eruptions such as those of Yellowstone Caldera, USA.

Based on Eruption Type:

• Hawaiian eruptions are gentle, with lava flowing smoothly, common in shield volcanoes.
• Strombolian eruptions are mildly explosive, ejecting lava bombs and gas, like Stromboli, Italy.
• Vulcanian eruptions involve short, powerful bursts of ash, gas, and lava, such as Parícutin, Mexico.
• Plinian eruptions are extremely violent, producing massive ash clouds and pyroclastic flows; Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD is an example.
• Pelean eruptions cause deadly pyroclastic flows due to lava dome collapse, as seen in Mount Pelée, 1902.
• Surtseyan eruptions are underwater eruptions that can create new islands, such as Surtsey, Iceland.

Based on Periodicity of Eruption:

• Active volcanoes erupt frequently or show activity, like Mount Etna, Italy.
• Dormant volcanoes haven't erupted in a long time but may erupt again, such as Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.
• Extinct volcanoes show no activity for thousands of years and are unlikely to erupt again, such as Mount Kenya, Kenya.

Explore volcano classification by lava type (basaltic, andesitic, rhyolitic), eruption style (Hawaiian, Strombolian, Plinian), and eruption frequency. Understand the characteristics and examples of each type. This classification aids in predicting volcanic behavior and assessing hazards.