Module 12

Volcanoes
The gods of volcanoes doing their task
 VOLCANOES

‰ A volcano is a vent or fissure in the Earth’s crust

through which molten magma, hot gases, and
other fluids escape to the surface of the land or to
the bottom of the sea
‰ Volcanoes may be classified broadly into:
¾ Central Types:
Types: the products escape via a single
pipe (vent)
¾ Fissure Types:
Types: the products escape from a
linear vent or crack
Vent positions
Vent positions

Central Eruption

Fissure Eruption

Side Eruption
Earth’s Geotherm

‰ GEOTHERM:
GEOTHERM: increase in
temperature with depth in the
earth
‰ GEOTHERMAL GRADIENT is
the rate of change of T with
depth
‰ In upper 100 km, average
geothermal gradient = 300C
km-1
‰ Heat source is decay of
radioactive elements
‰ This heat causes melting of
rocks to form Magma
Composition of Magma

‰ Variation in magma properties include:

¾ SILICA CONTENT
varies from 45% to 75%
¾ VOLATILES (GAS CONTENT)
mostt common gases: H2O vapor,
CO2, SO2, H2S
¾ TEMPERATURE OF ERUPTED MAGMA
varies from 12000C to about 8000C
‰ Variation in magma properties affect VISCOSITY of
the magma
Viscosity of Magma

‰ VISCOSITY refers to the thickness or fluidity of a

liquid
q
¾ Liquid with HIGH viscosity are very thick,
sticky
¾ Liquid
Li id with
ith LOW viscosity
i it are very fluid
fl id
‰ Effect of various properties on magma viscosity:
¾ Temperature
Temperature:: HIGH temperature = LOW
viscosity (i.e.
(i.e. very fluid)
¾ Silica Content:
Content: HIGH silica = HIGH viscosity
¾ Volatile Content:
Content: HIGH volatiles = LOW
viscosity
(H
(However, hi h gas contents
high t t contribute
t ib t to
t
explosive eruptions)
Types of Volcanoes
Types of Volcanoes
Shield Volcanoes
Shield Volcanoes
Shield Volcanoes
Shield Volcanoes
Shield Volcanoes
Shield Volcanoes
Shield Volcanoes

HOT SPOT
Cinder Cone Volcanoes
Cinder Cone Volcanoes
Strato Volcanoes
Strato Volcanoes
Strato Volcanoes
Strato Volcanoes
Strato Volcanoes
Strato Volcanoes
Lava Dome Volcanoes
Dome Volcanoes
Caldera Volcanoes
Caldera Volcanoes

The formation of
Caldera
Eruption Types
Eruption Types

HAWAIIAN-HAWAI
Eruption Types

STROMBOLIAN - ANAK KRAKATAU

Eruption Types

VULCANIAN DOME - MERAPI

Eruption Types

VULCANIAN - SURTSEYAN
Eruption Types

VULCANIAN - PAPANDAYAN
GAMALAMA
Eruption Types

PELEEAN - ST HELLENS
Eruption Types

PLINIAN PINATUBO
Eruption Types

PLINIAN - TAMBORA
Global Distribution of Volcanoes
Distribution of Volcanoes

COURSES/270
w.geo.lsa.umicch.edu/~crlb/C
om: http://www
fro 0
Most subduction zones are in the “Ring of Fire” (so-
(so-called
because of volcanism of the Pacific)
Pacific)
Volcanism & Plate Tectonics

V l
Volcanism
i in
i continental
ti t l

Volcanism in islands arc

Volcanism & Plate Tectonics

Volcanism in
Mid Oceanic Ridge

Pacific
f Ocean
O
Volcanism & Plate Tectonics

Hot Spot Volcanism

Classification of Volcanic Environment
Types and Zones of Volcanism
Finally . . .
Rest in Peace

COLUMNAR JOINT

VOLCANIC NECK