Characteristics, Measurement and Distribution of Volcanoes

Describe a Shield volcano

A broad, gently sloping volcano built up by the eruption of low viscosity lava flows flows easily over long distances

Describe a Stratovolcano

A stratovolcano is a steep, conical volcano made of alternating layers of lava, ash, and rock, formed by more explosive eruptions.

What are Lava Flows?

Free flowing lava reaching around 10km. It can destroy farmland and transport lines, but few lives

What is Ash?

It is spewed out of the top of the volcano. The ash blankets the surrounding area, cause roofs to collapse, crops to wither and polluting the air. Air thick with ash can asphyxiate humans and animals

What are Gas Emissions?

Gas from the volcano are released, contaminating nearby air and water sources. These include Carbon Dioxide and Cyanide.

What is Lava Spitting?

Explosions of thick lava due to it getting stuck and building up in pressure inside the volcano

What might cause a volcano to form somewhere other than a plate margin?

A volcano can form due to a hotspot. When a tectonic plate moves over the hotspot, the heat from the plume melts the crust, and over millions of years, magma can go beyond the crust and become a volcano

What is Fracking

Fracking, which is a process where we drill deep into the Earth's crust for oil and can likely disrupt the earths crust and core, making unpredictable natural events and disasters, like Earthquakes