Volcanoes and Eruptions

These flashcards include key vocabulary related to volcanoes, their characteristics, types of eruptions, and geothermal energy.

Silica content

The amount of silicon dioxide in magma, which affects its explosiveness and viscosity

Viscosity

A measure of a fluid's resistance to flow; high viscosity in magma leads to explosive eruptions.

Active volcano

A volcano that has erupted in the last 600 years or has a record of eruption; currently active.

Inactive volcano

A volcano that has not erupted in the last 10,000 years and is undergoing weathering and erosion.

Caldera

A large depression formed when a volcano's summit collapses after an explosive eruption.

Cinder cone

A type of volcano built from ejected lava fragments, characterized by steep slopes and a wide crater.

Shield volcano

A broad, dome-shaped volcano formed by the accumulation of low-viscosity lava flows.

Geothermal energy

Energy derived from the heat stored beneath the Earth's surface, often harnessed for electricity generation.

Phreatic eruption

A steam-driven eruption that occurs when hot rocks come into contact with water.

Plinian eruption

An excessively explosive type of volcanic eruption characterized by the release of gas and pyroclastics.