Visual Difference Between Shield Volcano And Stratovolcanoes
The principle visual difference between Shield volcanos and Stratovolcanoes is the shape, which is due to the composition of the magma. The Magma in most shield volcanos is basaltic and far less viscous than that in Stratovolcanoes. A shield volcano consists of a Caldera, central vent and magma reservoir while occasionally there are side vents or fissures. The caldera, which is Spanish for cauldron is at least a mile in diameter and is a depression in the cone of the volcano. It is built out of the substance of the Magma and is generally the source of most eruptions. The Magma reservoir is an underground zone of porous rock that contains the magma.
Generally a shield volcano eruption consists of basaltic material and the ground flow covers …show more content…
Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea and Kilauea. At 13, 681 feet above sea level and is over 60 miles wide at its base, Mauna Loa is the largest of the Hawaiian Island Shield volcanos. Because of this great size the volcano actually slumped 42,650 feet below sea level, not only is Mauna Loa is the largest in the Hawaiian chain, it is also the largest on earth. Of all the Hawaiian volcanoes, Kilauea is the most active with its current eruption going on since 1983. Mauna Kea, though overall smaller than Mauna Loa, actually has a high elevation. Its smoother profile is due to it being estimated at over a million years …show more content…
The lava flows from the Galapagos chain, while similar to the Hawaiian, do not form a line which is unusual in most volcanic hotspots.
When people normally think of a volcano, the image is of a Composite or Stratovolcano. Composite volcanos have a conical shape built up by layers of hardened lava, pumice and volcanic ash. Composite volcanos typically have steep sides and their eruptions, while they can be quiet, are usually explosive. A good example of an explosive eruption of a composite volcano is Mt St Helens.
One of the most famous Stratovolcanoes is Krakatoa because of its eruption in 1883. The eruption of Krakatoa was very violent. It is considered to have created the loudest sound ever heard and was heard 3,000 miles away. It was 13,000 times bigger than the nuclear bomb that destroyed Hiroshima. The shock waves were felt on Barographs around the world and created Tsunamis that killed over 36,000 people. Another well-known Stratovolcano is Vesuvius, because it destroyed the towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum.
The typical Hazards from a Stratovolcano eruption are Ash, Lava, Volcanic Bombs and
Generally a shield volcano eruption consists of basaltic material and the ground flow covers …show more content…
Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea and Kilauea. At 13, 681 feet above sea level and is over 60 miles wide at its base, Mauna Loa is the largest of the Hawaiian Island Shield volcanos. Because of this great size the volcano actually slumped 42,650 feet below sea level, not only is Mauna Loa is the largest in the Hawaiian chain, it is also the largest on earth. Of all the Hawaiian volcanoes, Kilauea is the most active with its current eruption going on since 1983. Mauna Kea, though overall smaller than Mauna Loa, actually has a high elevation. Its smoother profile is due to it being estimated at over a million years …show more content…
The lava flows from the Galapagos chain, while similar to the Hawaiian, do not form a line which is unusual in most volcanic hotspots.
When people normally think of a volcano, the image is of a Composite or Stratovolcano. Composite volcanos have a conical shape built up by layers of hardened lava, pumice and volcanic ash. Composite volcanos typically have steep sides and their eruptions, while they can be quiet, are usually explosive. A good example of an explosive eruption of a composite volcano is Mt St Helens.
One of the most famous Stratovolcanoes is Krakatoa because of its eruption in 1883. The eruption of Krakatoa was very violent. It is considered to have created the loudest sound ever heard and was heard 3,000 miles away. It was 13,000 times bigger than the nuclear bomb that destroyed Hiroshima. The shock waves were felt on Barographs around the world and created Tsunamis that killed over 36,000 people. Another well-known Stratovolcano is Vesuvius, because it destroyed the towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum.
The typical Hazards from a Stratovolcano eruption are Ash, Lava, Volcanic Bombs and