Why are shield volcanoes wider than composite volcanoes?
The magma that creates shield volcanoes is less viscous so it flows much more easily. For this reason the eruptions of shield volcanoes are non-explosive. In addition the less viscous lava spreads out more which makes shield volcanoes much larger and flatter than stratovolcanoes.
Are composite volcanoes divergent?
Composite volcanoes are common at convergent boundaries. Shield volcanoes are produced at divergent plate boundaries and intraplate. Cinder cones are made of small fragments of a variety of compositions usually from a single eruption.
Which of the following accurately describe shield volcanoes?
Which of the following accurately describe most shield volcanoes? – composed of a succession of lava flows.
How does the composition and viscosity of lava flows differ between composite volcanoes and shield volcanoes quizlet?
How does the composition and viscosity of lava flows differ between composite volcanoes and shield volcanoes? Composite volcanoes are mostly formed from thick, viscous, andesitic composition lava whereas shield volcanoes are formed from runny, less viscous, basaltic composition lava.
What’s the difference between shield volcanoes and composite?
What is the main difference between a shield volcano and a composite volcano? The main difference between the two is that a shield volcano is composed of basaltic lava while a composite volcano is composed of andesitic magma.
Are shield volcanoes bigger than composite?
Composite volcanoes, also known as stratovolcanoes, are towering structures, often rising more than 10,000 feet. Shield volcanoes are broad, typically 20 times wider than they are high. These volcanoes can be massive.
How does a shield volcano differ from a composite volcano?
What is the main difference between a shield volcano and a composite volcano? The main difference between the two is that a shield volcano is composed of basaltic lava while a composite volcano is composed of andesitic magma.
How are shield volcanoes shape?
Instead, they are broad volcanoes with gentle slopes and are shaped somewhat like a warrior's shield lying flat on the Earth. Shield volcanoes have a convex shape as they are flatter near the summit. Shield volcanoes are truly massive with volumes that dwarf other types of volcanoes, even large composite volcanoes.
What are the characteristics of shield volcanoes?
Shield volcanoes are characterized by broad, gently sloping flanks and a dome shape that resembles an ancient warrior's shield. These volcanoes are built almost entirely of layers of solidified basaltic lava flows.
What makes a shield volcano A shield volcano?
Instead, they are broad volcanoes with gentle slopes and are shaped somewhat like a warrior's shield lying flat on the Earth. Shield volcanoes have a convex shape as they are flatter near the summit. Shield volcanoes are truly massive with volumes that dwarf other types of volcanoes, even large composite volcanoes.
Which statement describes the composition and viscosity of lava associated with shield volcanoes?
Which statement describes the composition and viscosity of the lava associated with shield volcanoes? Lava from shield volcanoes is mafic and has a low viscosity.
What is viscosity and what is the relationship between viscosity and the way in which a volcano erupts?
You can measure lava in terms of viscosity as well. And the lava viscosity defines the size and shape of a volcano. Even though lava is 100,000 times more viscous than water, it can still flow great distances. When lava has low viscosity, it can flow very easily over long distances.
Why are shield volcanoes less explosive than composite volcanoes?
Shield volcanoes are more common at spreading centers or volcanic hot spots in the middle of tectonic plates (Figure 8.24). The magma that creates shield volcanoes is less viscous, so it flows much more easily. For this reason, the eruptions of shield volcanoes are non-explosive.
What are 3 differences between shield and composite volcanoes?
Composite volcanoes have a low magma supply rate, resulting in infrequent eruptions. Shield volcanoes feature basaltic lava. This type of lava is hot, fluid and low in gas content. Shield volcanoes are characterized by a high magma supply rate, lending itself to frequent eruptions.
What are the main differences between shield and composite volcanic cones?
Composite Cones have a conduit system through which material moves, and they are made of layers of rock, ash, and lavas. Shield Cones erupt from the central vent or from 2-3 rift zones around the central rift, and they have gentle slopes of overlapping lava flows.
What shape is a composite volcano?
conical Composite volcanoes can be the most picturesque of all volcanoes. A classic composite volcano is conical with a concave shape that is steeper near the top. These mountains commonly have snow-covered peaks standing high above the surrounding mountainous terrain.
What are shield volcanoes made of?
Shield volcanoes are usually constructed almost entirely of basaltic and/or andesitic lava flows which were very fluid when erupted.
What is the difference between shield and composite volcanoes?
What is the main difference between a shield volcano and a composite volcano? The main difference between the two is that a shield volcano is composed of basaltic lava while a composite volcano is composed of andesitic magma.
How do shield cinder cone and composite volcanoes differ from each other?
Composite volcanoes are explosive, towering giants. Shield volcanoes quietly produce broad, massive structures through lava flows. Cinder cone volcanoes are the smallest and simplest, but still pack a volcanic punch.
How are shield volcanoes different from composite?
What is the main difference between a shield volcano and a composite volcano? The main difference between the two is that a shield volcano is composed of basaltic lava while a composite volcano is composed of andesitic magma.
What are three facts about shield volcanoes?
Fun Facts About Shield Volcanoes
- There is a short duration(s) between two consecutive eruptions. …
- The sides of these volcanoes are gentle rather than being sharp, as the lava travels a long distance before solidifying. …
- There is no layering as the lava itself solidifies for the formation of these volcanoes.
When contrasting lava from a composite volcano to lava from a shield volcano?
When contrasting lava from composite volcanoes to lava from shield volcanoes, composite volcanoes most often produce silica-rich lavas with high viscosities, whereas shield volcanoes produce basaltic lavas with low viscosities.
What are the differences among the three volcanoes above?
Shield volcanoes feature basaltic lava. This type of lava is hot, fluid and low in gas content. Shield volcanoes are characterized by a high magma supply rate, lending itself to frequent eruptions. Cinder cone volcanoes feature lava with hybrid characteristics.
Do shield volcanoes have high or low viscosity?
Most commonly, they are comprised of basaltic lavas, but some shield lavas of the high silica 'peralkaline' family have very low viscosity – equivalent to or sometimes even lower than basalt (Figure 20). Figure 20. Shield volcanoes form over great spans of time with the effusion of low-viscosity lava.
Do composite volcanoes have high viscosity?
There are two types of volcanoes. Composite volcanoes have steep slopes consisting of layers of lava and ash, and often have very explosive eruptions. This type of volcano is found along convergent boundaries and has a very high viscosity. The gas content is high, but the temperature is low.
Are shield volcanoes explosive or quiet?
Eruptions at shield volcanoes are only explosive if water somehow gets into the vent, otherwise they are characterized by low-explosivity fountaining that forms cinder cones and spatter cones at the vent, however, 90% of the volcano is lava rather than pyroclastic material.
Is a shield volcano quiet or explosive?
Eruptions at shield volcanoes are only explosive if water somehow gets into the vent, otherwise they are characterized by low-explosivity fountaining that forms cinder cones and spatter cones at the vent, however, 90% of the volcano is lava rather than pyroclastic material.
What are shield volcanoes?
Introduction. Although shield volcanoes are the largest volcanoes on Earth, they do not form soaring mountains with conical peaks like composite volcanoes. Instead, they are broad volcanoes with gentle slopes and are shaped somewhat like a warrior's shield lying flat on the Earth.
Do shield volcanoes have secondary cones?
They may occur as single volcanoes or as secondary volcanoes known as "parasitic cones" on the sides of stratovolcanoes or shield volcanoes.
What is the difference between a shield and cone volcano?
Composite cone volcanoes are cone-shaped volcanoes composed of layers of lava, ash and rock debris. Composite cone volcanoes can grow to heights of 8,000 feet or more and have explosive eruptions. Shield volcanoes are broad, domed-shaped volcanoes with long, gently sloped sides.