Restless Earth - Volcanoes

Question 1

Characteristics of a shield volcano

Answer 1

Found at constructive plate boundaries
Can occur at hotspots (E.G. Hawaii)
Do not erupt violently
Lava flows from them freely for up to 25 miles
Gentle sided
Continuously erupt
Lava is runny and has a low silica content

E.g. Mount Kilauea, Hawaii, U.S.A

Question 2

Characteristics of a Composite Volcano

Answer 2

Found at destructive plate boundaries
Steep sided
Erupts violently as pressure builds up
Viscous lava that cannot flow very far
Gives off ash clouds and a pyroclastic flow

E.g. Mount St. Helens, Washington, U.S.A

Question 3

Characteristics of a supervolcano

Answer 3

Unnoticeable
Huge magma chambers (x3 bigger than New York City at Yellowstone)
Creates a caldera after eruption
Eruptions have global consequences including:
-ash clouds
-volcanic winter
-billions of deaths (possible extinction)
-global starvation
-global cooling (15 degrees in the tropics)

Question 4

What are the four types of volcano?

Answer 4

Shield Volcano
Composite Volcano
Hotspot Volcano
Supervolcano