Volcanoes Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What are volcanoes?

They are vents in the earth's surface where gases, lava and pyroclastic material are erupted.

How are volcanoes classified?

They are classified based on their height, shape, magma type, and eruption style.

What are the two primary types of volcanoes?

Shield and composite volcanoes.

What are considered to be secondary volcanoes and why?

Cinder cone and lava dome are considered to be secondary as they most often occur near primary volcanoes. Signup and view all the answers

What are cinder cone volcanoes?

They are peaks formed when pyroclastic materials are ejected into the air from a vent and fall back to the ground in a cone-shaped pile. Signup and view all the answers

What are composite volcanoes?

Composite volcanoes, also called stratovolcanoes, are made of many layers of rock, ash, and hardened lava. Signup and view all the answers

What are lava domes?

Lava domes form when magma below the surface exerts great upward pressure, causing viscous magmas to move toward the surface. Signup and view all the answers

What are shield volcanoes?

Shield volcanoes are very large and broad with low viscosity magma. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Volcanoes Overview

Volcanoes are vents on the Earth's surface that erupt gases, lava, and pyroclastic materials.

Classification of Volcanoes

Volcanoes can be classified by height, shape, magma type, and eruption style.

Primary Volcano Types

Two main types of volcanoes: shield and composite volcanoes.

Secondary Volcanoes

Cinder cone and lava domes are considered secondary volcanoes as they typically occur near primary volcanoes.

Cinder Cone Volcanoes

Formed from pyroclastic materials ejected and falling back around the vent, creating a cone-shaped pile.
Characterized by being small, steep-sided, and symmetrical.
Can emerge in the crater or on the flanks of larger volcanoes.

Composite Volcanoes

Also known as stratovolcanoes, formed from alternating layers of rock, ash, and hardened lava.
Known for explosive eruptions due to high-viscosity, high-silica magma with low melting temperatures.
Typically steeper near the summit and usually located at subduction zones.

Lava Domes

Created when magma beneath the surface exerts significant upward pressure, resulting in viscous magma rising to form steep-sided, bulging mounds.
Grow slowly but can produce highly explosive eruptions.

Shield Volcanoes

Large and broad with low magma viscosity, giving them gradual slopes and significant base widths.
Erupt gently, producing extensive volumes of magnesium-rich magma but are not steep.

Description

Test your knowledge of volcanoes with these flashcards. Learn about what volcanoes are, how they are classified, and the primary types. This quiz is a great resource for students studying geology or earth sciences.