Volcanic Landforms & Volcanic Landforms & EruptionsEruptions

Section 5.2 & 5.3

Types of VolcanoesTypes of Volcanoes

There are three types of volcanoes: stratovolcano (or

composite), cinder cone volcano, or shield volcano.

Cinder cone VolcanoCinder cone Volcano

Parícutin

Cinder cone VolcanoCinder cone Volcano

Lava explodes as ash, cinders, and bombs- forming layers of the

volcano.Formed by an explosive eruption (high in silica with lots of trapped gases) and high viscosity magma

(thick and sticky).Example:Parícutin

Shield VolcanoShield Volcano

Mauna Loa

Shield VolcanoShield Volcano

Lava pours out slowly and hardens on top of other layers.

It is formed by quiet eruptions (low in silica) with low viscosity magma

(runny, thin, and flows easily).Examples: Mt. Etna, Kilauea,

Mauna Loa

Stratovolcano (Composite)Stratovolcano (Composite)

Mt. FujiKrakatoa

Mt. Vesuvius

Stratovolcano (Composite)Stratovolcano (Composite)

Alternates between explosive (ash, cinders, bombs, etc.)

and quiet lava flows.

Examples: Krakatoa, Mt. Fuji, Mount St. Helens, Mt.

Vesuvius

Landforms from Lava & AshLandforms from Lava & Ash

The huge hole left by the collapse of a volcanic mountain is called a caldera.

A mixture of materials (hot gases, ash, cinders, and bombs) that can form a fast-moving cloud that rushes down the side of a volcano is called a pyroclastic flow.

CalderaCaldera

Pyroclastic flow

Geothermal activityGeothermal activity

Geothermal activity is produced by magma a few kilometers beneath Earth’s surface which heats underground water.

Hot springs & geysers are types of geothermal activity that are often found in areas of present or past volcanic activity.