Supervolcanoes Flashcards
What is a super volcano?
A super volcano is an eruption of magnitude 8 on the volcano explosivity index (VEI). This means that more than 1,000km3 of magma is erupted.
What is one of the differences between a volcano and a super volcano?
A super volcano isn’t cone shaped like a normal volcano meaning it doesn’t have steep sides, instead it has a flat caldera.
Describe and explain the causes of a super volcano:
The magma is stored in a gigantic magma chamber underground. The magma then rises because it is less dense. It then pushes into the crust which crumbles up to form a dome shape. There are then cracks which are formed in a circle shape (ring fracture) and the tephra and magma then escape through the cracks creating gigantic volcanic explosions.
Give an example of a super volcano:
Yellowstone.
Where is Yellowstone super volcano located?
Yellowstone is located in the USA in North America and it crosses through the states; Montana, Idano and Wyoming. The land that Yellowstone is on is fairly high roughly 1000-2000 relief metres high.
What is Volcano Explosivity Index?
VEI is a scale used to measure the intensity of volcanic eruptions. Each interval on the VEI represents an increase in magnitude of about 10.
What s a pyroclastic flow?
This is the most deadly of all volcanic phenomenon. They are a mixture of firecely hot solid to semi-sold fragments and hot, expanding toxic gases that low at hurricane-force speeds often over 100km/hr.
