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Tectonic Hazards

Types of volcano and styles of eruption

  • 3 things to know
  • Component 3 Section A

Overview

Shield volcano, composite volcano and cinder cone.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

What controls whether an eruption is explosive or gentle?

Key term

Describe a shield volcano.

Key term

Name a shield volcano and give its size.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Describe a shield volcano.

    Model answer

    A shield volcano is a broad, gently sloping cone built from fluid basaltic lava. Slopes are typically 2° to 10°, and the base can be tens of kilometres across.

  2. 2

    Name a shield volcano and give its size.

    Model answer

    Mauna Loa in Hawaii is the largest active shield volcano, rising 4,169 m above sea level. Measured from its base on the sea floor, the volcano is over 9,000 m high.

  3. 3

    Describe a composite volcano.

    Model answer

    A composite volcano, or stratovolcano, is a steep cone built from alternating layers of lava and ash. Andesitic magma is viscous, so flows are short and the slopes stay steep.

  4. 4

    Name three composite volcanoes.

    Model answer

    Mount Fuji in Japan, Mount St Helens in the United States and Cotopaxi in Ecuador are composite volcanoes. All three sit above subduction zones.

  5. 5

    Describe a cinder cone.

    Model answer

    A cinder cone is a small, steep cone of loose pyroclastic fragments around a single vent. Height is usually less than 300 m and the cone builds quickly.

  6. 6

    Give a named example of a cinder cone and say how fast it grew.

    Model answer

    Parícutin in Mexico began erupting in a farmer's field in February 1943. The cone reached around 336 m within its first year and activity ceased in 1952.

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