Volcanoes: Parts and Processes

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Questions and Answers

What happens when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide released from volcanoes interact with water molecules in the air?

  • It causes volcanic eruptions.
  • It increases the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
  • It forms acid rain. (correct)
  • It creates lahar mudflows.

What is the primary reason for the build-up of pressure that eventually leads to a violent volcanic eruption?

  • The difficulty of gases escaping thick, sticky magma. (correct)
  • The accumulation of ash in the atmosphere.
  • The slow release of volcanic gases.
  • The rapid cooling of magma.

What is a lahar mudflow primarily composed of?

  • Hot volcanic gas, ash, and fragmented rock.
  • A mixture of tephra and water vapor.
  • Hot volcanic material mixed with water. (correct)
  • Molten rock, ash, and sulfur dioxide.

Which of these is NOT a direct consequence of volcanic eruptions?

<p>Release of methane into the atmosphere. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of a pyroclastic flow that distinguishes it from other volcanic phenomena?

<p>It's a mixture of hot gas, ash, and fragmented rock traveling at high speeds. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a fumarole primarily characterized by?

<p>A vent on the volcano's surface releasing gases and steam. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do cracks and fissures on the surface of a volcano benefit scientists studying volcanoes?

<p>They act as openings allowing scientists to observe the gases within the volcano. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates tephra from other volcanic products?

<p>Tephra is fragmented rock and ash ejected during a volcanic eruption. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor that determines the speed at which lava travels outside the volcano?

<p>The viscosity of the magma (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do volcanic bombs contribute to the formation of volcanic landscapes?

<p>By solidifying into various shapes and sizes, forming distinctive landforms (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between a lava dome and a lava flow?

<p>Lava flows are characterized by their fluidity, while lava domes are formed by the buildup of viscous lava (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of magma chambers in relation to volcanic eruptions?

<p>They provide a reservoir for molten rock that eventually leads to eruptions (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of the formation of an eruption column?

<p>The buildup of pressure from gases trapped within the magma (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of volcanic ash?

<p>It is a major contributor to the formation of lava domes (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between a volcanic vent and a volcanic opening?

<p>There is no significant difference between the two terms; they are synonymous (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the smallest size for a volcanic bomb?

<p>66mm (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Magma

Molten rock beneath the Earth's surface that can form magma chambers.

Magma Chamber

An underground reservoir for magma, located 1 to 10 km below the surface.

Volcanic Vents

Openings through which magma rises and erupts at the Earth's surface.

Lava

Magma that has erupted onto the surface of the Earth.

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Lava Flows

Molten rock that erupts from a volcano and spreads on the surface.

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Volcanic Bombs

Large fragments of rock ejected from a volcano during an eruption, at least 66mm in size.

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Lava Domes

Mounds formed by the slow accumulation of thick lava around a volcanic vent.

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Eruption Column

A tall plume of volcanic ash and gases released during an explosive eruption.

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Tephra

Pieces of volcanic material ejected during an eruption, ranging from ash to large boulders.

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Pyroclastic Flow

A fast-moving mixture of hot gas, volcanic ash, and rock traveling down a volcano.

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Lahar Mudflows

Mudflows formed when hot volcanic material mixes with water from melted snow or ice.

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Acid Rain

Rainfall that becomes acidic due to volcanic gases mixing with moisture in the atmosphere.

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Fumaroles

Vents on a volcano’s surface that emit steam and volcanic gases into the atmosphere.

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Volcanic Eruption

The explosive release of magma, tephra, and gases from a volcano.

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Sulfur Dioxide

A gas released during volcanic eruptions that can contribute to acid rain.

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Cracks (Fissures)

Holes on a volcano's surface that allow magma to rise and gases to escape.

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Study Notes

Volcanic Parts and Processes

  • Magma Chambers:

    • Reservoirs of molten rock located 1-10 km below the surface.
    • Magma is lighter than surrounding rock, causing it to rise.
    • Pressure buildup leads to volcanic eruptions.

  • Volcanic Vents:

    • Openings or fissures that allow magma to reach the surface.
    • Also known as volcanic openings.

  • Lava:

    • Magma that erupts onto the Earth's surface.
    • Thin, runny lava allows gases to escape easily, producing lava flows.
    • Different viscosity (thickness) creates various volcanic landforms.

  • Lava Flows:

    • Molten rock oozing onto the surface after eruptions.
    • Vary in temperature and viscosity, affecting volcanic landscape.

  • Volcanic Bombs:

    • Molten rocks ejected with force from volcanoes.
    • Size is at least 66mm. Cool and solidify into diverse shapes after traveling significant distances.
    • Contribute to volcanic landscapes.

  • Lava Domes:

    • Geological features formed by accumulation of thick, sticky lava around vents.
    • Potentially hazardous due to instability and explosive potential.
    • Circular mounds protruding from volcanoes due to slow lava release.

  • Eruption Column:

    • Towering plume of ash, gases, and other materials ejected into the atmosphere.
    • Height can reach tens of miles.
    • Impacts climate and aviation.
    • Highly charged particles can generate thunder and lightning.

  • Eruption Clouds:

    • Billowing masses of gases, ash, and particles ejected in eruptions.
    • create hazardous conditions.
    • Ash falls like powdery snow, suffocating plants and animals.

  • Tephra:

    • Ejected fragments of volcanic material during explosive eruptions.
    • Ranges from tiny ash particles to house-sized boulders.
    • Highly destructive.
    • Can range in size from tiny particles of ash to house-size boulders.

  • Acid Rain:

    • Formed from sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides released by volcanic eruptions reacting with water.
    • Impacts ecosystems, including water quality.

  • Lahars:

    • Mudflows resulting from mixing of hot volcanic material with water.
    • Can bury entire communities.
    • Can devastate communities and ecosystems.

  • Pyroclastic Flows:

    • Fast-moving mixtures of hot gas, ash, and fragmented rock.
    • Travels down volcanic slopes at incredible speeds. Incorporates tephra.
    • Created by collapses of lava domes.
    • Significant threat to anything in its path.

  • Fumaroles:

    • Vents where gases and steam escape from a volcano.
    • Emit steam and gases like sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide.
    • Creates passageways for heat, gases, and magma.
    • Create eerie landscapes.

  • Fissures/Fractures:

    • Cracks on the surface caused by tectonic stresses. -Allow magma to rise and potentially cause eruptions.
    • Act as windows for scientists to view gases inside volcanoes.

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