Types of Volcanoes
Describe the three different types of volcanoes
Three Different Types of Volcanoes
Shield Cinder Cone Composite
Mauna Loa, Shield
Mauna Loa is a shield volcano located in Hawaii, which is a hot spot created by a mantle plume. Mauna Loa is a shield volcano which has the chracteristics of a shield volcano. A shield volcano covers a wide area, is broad at its base and forms quiet eruptions. The mafic lava flows out around the vent, harden, and build up a cone. The mafic lava is made of magnesium and iron, and it dark in color and has low viscosity.
El Paricutin, Cinder Cone
El Paricutin is a cinder cone volcano located in Mexico. El Paricutin is a cinder cone volcano which has the chracteristics of a cinder cone. It has very steep slopes and they form very explosive eruptions of pyroclastic material such as volcanic ash, dust, lapilli, volcanic bombs and blocks. The pyroclastic material is usually made up of felsic lava which is made up of silica and feldspar, and is usually light in color.
Mt. Fuji, Composite
Mt. Fuji is a composite volcano located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, in Japan. Mt. Fuji is a composite volcano which has the characterisitcs of a composite volcano. This means that they are made up of both types of eruptions; lava flows and pyroclastic material. When the volcano has an episode of a quiet eruption, lava flows down the sides of the cone. When there is an episode of a violent eruption, there is a layer of pyroclastic material deposited around the vent. This continues over time causing alternating layers. This volcano is also known as a stratovolcano. Strato means having layers.