Difference between revisions of "Volcano"
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[[Image:Volcano.jpg|thumb|300px|Snow-covered Kanaga Volcano in Alaska erupts a small column of tephra, gas, and steam. Kanaga is a stratovolcano. View is toward the west.]] | [[Image:Volcano.jpg|thumb|300px|Snow-covered Kanaga Volcano in Alaska erupts a small column of tephra, gas, and steam. Kanaga is a stratovolcano. View is toward the west.]] | ||
A '''volcano''' forms when [[magma]], in the form of [[lava]], is able to breach the surface of the [[Earth]]. Many volcanoes tend to resemble [[mountains]], although some are so large that they form entire [[Island|islands]], as is the case of [[Mauna Loa]]. Volcanoes come in three main types, stratovolcano (also composite cone), shield volcano, and cinder cone. Stratovolcanoes are renowned for their explosiveness, which is cause by the high viscosity of the magma they contain. They can grow to be very large and have steep slopes, but in some eruptions can blow themselves apart. In contrast, shield volcanoes contain magma of very low viscosity, resulting in less violent eruptions and shallow slopes. Finally, cinder cones form very fast and consist of amalgamated igneous materials. They have very steep slopes and are susceptible to erosion. | A '''volcano''' forms when [[magma]], in the form of [[lava]], is able to breach the surface of the [[Earth]]. Many volcanoes tend to resemble [[mountains]], although some are so large that they form entire [[Island|islands]], as is the case of [[Mauna Loa]]. Volcanoes come in three main types, stratovolcano (also composite cone), shield volcano, and cinder cone. Stratovolcanoes are renowned for their explosiveness, which is cause by the high viscosity of the magma they contain. They can grow to be very large and have steep slopes, but in some eruptions can blow themselves apart. In contrast, shield volcanoes contain magma of very low viscosity, resulting in less violent eruptions and shallow slopes. Finally, cinder cones form very fast and consist of amalgamated igneous materials. They have very steep slopes and are susceptible to erosion. | ||
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| + | ==External Links== | ||
| + | *[http://www.learner.org/interactives/volcanoes/entry.html Interactive Volcanoes] There are many active volcanoes worldwide. Is there anything we can do to predict how and when they will erupt? | ||
[[Category:Volcanology]] | [[Category:Volcanology]] | ||
Revision as of 21:49, August 5, 2008
A volcano forms when magma, in the form of lava, is able to breach the surface of the Earth. Many volcanoes tend to resemble mountains, although some are so large that they form entire islands, as is the case of Mauna Loa. Volcanoes come in three main types, stratovolcano (also composite cone), shield volcano, and cinder cone. Stratovolcanoes are renowned for their explosiveness, which is cause by the high viscosity of the magma they contain. They can grow to be very large and have steep slopes, but in some eruptions can blow themselves apart. In contrast, shield volcanoes contain magma of very low viscosity, resulting in less violent eruptions and shallow slopes. Finally, cinder cones form very fast and consist of amalgamated igneous materials. They have very steep slopes and are susceptible to erosion.
External Links
- Interactive Volcanoes There are many active volcanoes worldwide. Is there anything we can do to predict how and when they will erupt?