Volcano Types and Formation

Types of Volcanoes

• Volcanoes are natural openings in the Earth's surface.
• Molten rocks, smoke, gases, and ashes are ejected from volcanoes.
• A crater is a funnel-shaped depression at the top of a volcano.
• It is formed as a result of explosive eruption.
• A caldera is a volcanic crater that is formed when a part of the crater collapses after an explosive eruption.
• Magma is hot fluid or semi-fluid material below the Earth's crust, usually made of molten rocks inside the earth.
• Lava is magma that is ejected out of a volcano.
• The Latin word "lava" means "to slide."

Types of Volcanoes According to Shape

• Volcano shapes vary, with three main types.
• Shield Volcanoes are formed by the accumulation of lava that oozes out from the volcano.
• Non-viscous lava flows freely, creating a broad, slightly domed structure resembling a warrior's shield.
• Mauna Loa in Hawaii is an example.
• Cinder Cone Volcanoes are built from ejected lava fragments.
• They have steep slopes, wide craters, and are the most abundant of the three major volcano types.
• Mt. Paricutin in Mexico is an example.
• Composite Volcanoes are also known as "stratovolcanoes."
• They are large, nearly perfect sloped structures formed from the alternate solidification of both lava and pyroclastic deposits.
• Mt. Mayon in the Philippines and Mt. Fuji in Japan are examples.

Types of Eruption

• Volcano eruptions have different causes.
• Phreatic/Hydrothermal eruptions are steam-driven, occurring when hot rocks come into contact with water.
• Phreatomagmatic eruptions are violent, resulting from contact between water and magma.

Explore the formation and types of volcanoes, including shield and cinder cone volcanoes. Learn about craters, calderas, magma, and lava. Discover how different shapes result from varying eruption styles and materials ejected.