Plutonism and Volcanism

Vocabulary flashcards related to the concepts of plutonism and volcanism as outlined in the lecture notes.

Plutonism

The process of magma intrusion and solidification beneath the Earth's surface to form intrusive igneous rocks.

Volcanism

The activity of lava and gases erupting from a volcano to reach the Earth's surface.

Dike

A thin, tabular body of igneous rock that cuts across existing strata or structures.

Sill

A tabular igneous intrusion that is parallel to the bedding planes of the surrounding rock.

Pluton

A large intrusive igneous body that can form from the solidification of magma.

Batholith

An extensive and large igneous intrusion that exceeds 100 km² in surface area.

Xenolith

A piece of rock trapped within another rock, often found in igneous intrusions.

Tephra

The fragments of volcanic rock and ash ejected into the air during an explosive eruption.

Lahar

A destructive volcanic mudflow composed of water, ash, and debris.

Effusive volcanism

A type of volcanic eruption characterized by the outpouring of lava without explosion.

Pyroclastic volcano

A volcano that produces explosive eruptions resulting in pyroclastic flows and tephra.

Caldera

A large depression formed when a volcano erupts and collapses.

Volcanic explosivity index (VEI)

A scale that measures the explosiveness of volcanic eruptions.

Flood basalt

Large volumes of basaltic lava that flow over extensive areas, often associated with massive volcanic eruptions.

Ash

Fine particles ejected into the atmosphere during a volcanic eruption, typically less than 2 mm in size.

Cinder cone

A simple, steep-sided volcanic cone composed primarily of volcanic ash, tephra, and blocks.

Stratovolcano

A volcano characterized by a steep profile and is composed of multiple layers of lava and pyroclastic material.

Volcano

An opening in the Earth's crust through which molten lava, ash, and gases are expelled.

Mantle plume

A localized column of hot magma rising through the mantle, which can cause volcanic activity.

Vesuvius

An active stratovolcano known for its catastrophic eruption in 79 CE.