Volcano Features Quiz

Volcano Features

• Cone: The most noticeable part of a volcano, formed from a mix of lava and pyroclastic material. The type of magma influences cone shape: Viscous granitic magma creates steep cones, while fast-moving basaltic magma creates low, flat cones.
• Vent: The opening where eruptions occur. Magma travels from the underground source to the volcano's summit through this main part. Vents can be straight or complex.
• Magma Chamber: A large underground pool of molten rock beneath the Earth's crust.
• Crater: A basin-like depression at the summit of the cone, directly above the vent.
• Caldera: A volcanic depression much larger than the original crater.
• Lava: Molten rock or magma ejected during an eruption. Lava can reach temperatures up to 700°C and flows until cooling and hardening.
• Dikes: Barriers or obstacles within a volcano. They form when magma cuts through existing rock layers under high pressure.
• Sills: Solidified lava flows that have intruded between existing layers of rock, creating sheets parallel to those layers.
• Conduit: A channel or pipe carrying magma.
• Flank: The side of a volcano.
• Summit: The highest point of a volcano.
• Throat: The entrance of a volcano.
• Ash Cloud: A cloud of pulverized rock and glass created during an eruption, expelled into the atmosphere.
• Volcanic Bombs: Chunks of lava ejected into the air that solidify before reaching the ground. They vary in size, reaching up to 64mm in diameter.
• Pyroclastic Flow: Fast-moving currents of hot gases and rock flowing downhill from a volcano. These flows can reach temperatures over 1000°C and speeds of 700 km/hr. They include pumice flow, ash flow, block and ash flow, glowing erupting clouds (nuée ardente), and avalanches.
• Tephra Fall: Fragmented material consisting of pumice, scoria, lithic materials, crystals, or a combination.
• Lahar: Flows of volcanic debris mixed with water. They are classified as primary (hot) if associated with an eruption, or cold if caused by heavy rainfall.