Different Types of Volcanoes:
When we think of volcanoes, we often perceive the concept that we usually see in Hollywood movies – hazardous, harmful, damaging and catastrophic volcanoes. Although that is pretty much the truth, but actually there are many different types of volcanoes. Some of these volcanoes are actually very dangerous, while others are not. In order to understand the true nature and catastrophic characteristics of a volcano, it is important to know about the different types of volcanoes.
Generally, volcanologists divide volcanoes into 4 major types, which will be discussed later in this article. For now, let us have a brief look at what is a volcano?
What is a Volcano?
Before we move forward to our main topic of discussion, which is the different types of volcanoes, it is recommended to first understand that what is a volcano?
Definition of Volcano:
A simple explanation of what is a volcano can be understood by the following definition of volcano:
“A volcano is a vent that directly connects magma to the surface of the Earth.”
3 States of Volcanoes:
There are 3 states of volcanoes, which are important to understand to grasp the topic completely. These 3 states of volcanoes are:
1. Extinct Volcanoes
2. Dormant Volcanoes
3. Active Volcanoes
Explanation of these 3 states of volcanoes is given below:
1. Extinct Volcanoes:
Extinct volcanoes are those volcanoes which have become dead or extinct. Extinct volcanoes are declared extinct, and hence, they will never erupt again.
2. Dormant Volcanoes:
Like the name suggests, Dormant Volcanoes are those volcanoes that have been in the state of sleep or dormancy for a very long period of time. Commonly, dormant volcanoes are those volcanoes that have not erupted for at least 2,000 years ago. However, dormant volcanoes are not extinct, and hence, can erupt at any stage of time.
3. Active Volcanoes:
Unlike Extinct Volcanoes and Dormant Volcanoes, Active Volcanoes are considered as immediate threats. Active Volcanoes are those volcanoes that erupt lava, gases and/or show seismic activities. An active volcano may have erupted recently, and is always at a risk of erupting again.
Different Types of Volcanoes:
After understanding the above-mentioned basic concepts about the definition of volcanoes and the 3 different states of volcanoes, it is time to have a look at the 4 different types of volcanoes.
Geologists and professional volcanologists mainly classify four different types of volcanoes. This classification of volcanoes is done on the basis of shapes, magnitude, structure and materials of different volcanoes. Furthermore, the way these volcanoes erupt is also a major factor in this classification.
Note: It should be noted that there numerous types of volcanoes – even more than four – but these 4 different types of volcanoes are the most basic ones.
1. Cinder Cones:
One of the most common types of volcanoes is the ‘Cinder Cones ’. A relatively less-dangerous type of volcano, Cinder cones only grow to about a 1,000 – 1,200 ft. Unlike some of the other types of volcanoes – namely, shield volcanoes and composite volcanoes – these cinder cones are usually created from a single opening. The opening of a cinder cone is a cone-shaped structure, while the steeps are formed of the erupted, fragmented cinders that fall close to the chimney/vent.
The manner of eruption for cinder cones is relatively simpler. When the lava erupts, cinders of it are blown into the air. It is these fragmented cinders that fall around its opening – which we talked about earlier.
Some Famous Cinder Cones Volcanoes:
Paricutin in Mexico
Lava Bute
Sunset Crater
2. Shield Volcanoes:
Another type of volcanoes is the ‘Shield Volcanoes ’. Unlike cinder cones, shield volcanoes can be very, very big in size. However, they are not as much dangerous as it seems. This is because the eruption of lava out of shield volcanoes is not accompanied by pyroclastic material. This makes the eruption relatively safer and it keeps the shield volcanoes safe, too.
The structure of shield volcanoes can be understood as tall and broad, but with flat round shapes around it. In comparison with some of the other types of volcanoes, shield volcanoes have low slopes.
Because of their large structures, shield volcanoes can be huge. For example, Mauna Loa is a shield volcano that is over 30,000 feet above sea level.
Some Famous Shield Volcanoes:
Hualalai
Mauna Loa
Kohala Volcano
3. Composite Volcanoes:
Composite Volcanoes are also very commonly known as ‘Strato Volcanoes ’. Composite volcanoes are reasonably big and can rise up to 8,000 – 10,000 feet. Moreover, they can range anywhere from 1 – 10 km in diameter. The nature of composite volcanoes ’ eruption is dangerous and explosive in nature. With a lot of layers of lava and pyroclastic materials involved, the eruption of composite volcanoes is considered noticeably dangerous.
The general structure of composite volcanoes is tall, symmetrical shaped and with steep sides. Commonly, composite volcanoes erupt numerous gases, ash, lava, pumice and also a small amount of stiff. Moreover, deadly mudflows – also commonly known as ‘lahars ’ – can also accompany the eruption.
Because of their large quantity on the planet Earth and deadly mudflows, composite volcanoes are believed to kill the most amounts of people and do serious damage to anything in their paths, when compared with any other type of volcano. Apart from the scary side, some of the most beautiful mountains on planet Earth are also, actually, composite volcanoes. For example, Mount Fuji of Japan and Mount Shasta in California are some famous composite volcanoes.
4. Lava Domes:
Lava domes is the fourth type of volcano that we are going to discuss. Unlike composite and shield volcanoes, lava domes are of significantly smaller stature. Basically, lava domes are formed when the lava is too viscous to flow to a great distance, and hence, it continues to pile within. As the lava dome keeps growing, the outer surface starts to cool and become hardened. When a lava dome is grown to a significant extent, it shatters the outer surface, which results in spilling loose fragments towards its sides. Generally, such lava domes are found on the flanks of larger composite volcanoes.
Summary:
So, the bottom line is that there are four different types of volcanoes, i.e. composite volcanoes, shield volcanoes, cinder cones and lava domes. Each with a different set of characteristics and structure. Some are more dangerous and catastrophic, while others are comparatively lesser. Having this knowledge keeps you informed about the different types of volcanoes.
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