Volcanic landforms introduction

Question 1

Define volcanology

Answer 1

Volcanology is a term used to describe “all the processes by which solid, liquid or gaseous materials are forced into the earth’s crust or ejected onto the surface.” (An Integrated approach)

Question 2

Why are there so many different outcomes?

Answer 2

There are numerous different variations of the characteristics of these processes which consequently means there are numerous different outcomes in terms of very much contrastingly landscapes produced.

Question 3

How does magma reach the surface?

Answer 3

Material in the mantle has a high temperature, however it is kept in a semi solid state because of the enormous pressure exerted on it.
If this pressure is released by plate boundary movement, some of the semi­ solid material becomes molten and rises, forcing its way into weakness in the crust, or onto the surface where it cools crystallises and solidifies.
Molten rock is called magma below the surface and lava above the surface.

Question 4

Volcanic activity can be divided into two areas.

Answer 4

­Extrusive­ formed from magma which has solidified on the earth’s surface e.g. the Giant’s Causeway in N. Ireland ­
Intrusive­ produced when magma solidifies within the earth’s crust i.e underground, e.g. the Sill at Drumadoon, Arran. (you can seen them on the surface but they were formed underground). ­
Both intrusive and extrusive produces hard, igneous rock.