CH- 7 VOLCANOES

Exercises
Answer the following questions briefly:
1. What are volcanoes? What are the different types of volcanic eruptions?
Volcanoes are openings in the Earth's crust through which molten rock, gases, and ash are
ejected during volcanic eruptions. The different types of volcanic eruptions include
effusive eruptions or Fissure Types, explosive eruptions or violent type.
2. Name two different types of volcanic eruptions.
Two different types of volcanic eruptions are effusive eruptions, where lava flows
steadily and gently from the volcano, and explosive eruptions, where highly
pressurized gases and magma are violently ejected.
3. What are composite cones?
Composite cones, also known as stratovolcanoes, are tall and steep-sided volcanoes
composed of alternating layers of hardened lava, ash, and other volcanic materials.
4. How is a crater formed?
A crater is formed when material is ejected from a volcano during an eruption,
creating a depression at the summit or on the flanks of the volcano.
5. How are lava plateaus formed? Give an example.
Lava plateaus are formed when large quantities of fluid lava erupt from long cracks or
fissures in the Earth's surface, spreading out in thin layers to create a flat or gently
sloping plateau. An example of a lava plateau is the Columbia Plateau in the
northwestern United States.
6. Name three intrusive landforms in a volcanic region.
Three intrusive landforms in a volcanic region are batholiths, which are large bodies
of intrusive igneous rock; dikes, which are vertical or near-vertical intrusions cutting
across the rock layers; and sills, which are horizontal intrusions between the layers of
preexisting rock.
7. Enlist some of the destructive effects of volcanoes.
Destructive effects of volcanoes include ashfall, pyroclastic flows, lahars (mudflows),
volcanic gases, landslides, and potential tsunamis if the volcano is located near a body
of water.
8. Indicate the world distribution of active volcanoes.
Active volcanoes are distributed worldwide, but they are particularly concentrated
along the boundaries of tectonic plates. These areas include the Pacific Ring of Fire,
which encircles the Pacific Ocean, as well as volcanic regions along mid-ocean ridges
and hotspots.
9. Why is the Circum-Pacific Belt known as the 'Pacific Ring of Fire'?
The Circum-Pacific Belt is known as the 'Pacific Ring of Fire' because it forms a
horseshoe-shaped region of intense volcanic and seismic activity around the Pacific
Ocean. This area is characterized by numerous active volcanoes and frequent
earthquakes due to the movement and interaction of tectonic plates.
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II. Define the following:
1. Caldera: A caldera is a large, basin-shaped depression that forms when a volcanic eruption
expels large volumes of magma, causing the overlying volcanic structure to collapse into the
emptied magma chamber.
2. Crater: Crater: A crater is a bowl-shaped depression at the summit or on the flanks of a
volcano, formed by the explosive ejection of material during a volcanic eruption.
3. Dormant Volcano: Dormant Volcano: A dormant volcano is a volcano that is currently
inactive but has the potential to erupt again in the future.
4. Extinct Volcano: Extinct Volcano: An extinct volcano is a volcano that is unlikely to erupt
again in the future because it has been inactive for a very long time and is not connected to a
tectonic hotspot or active magma source.
III. Distinguish between the following:
1. Dormant Volcano and Extinct Volcano
Answer:

Dormant Volcano Extinct Volcano

A dormant volcano is currently inactive but has the An extinct volcano is no longer active and is
potential to erupt in the future. not expected to erupt again.

Has not erupted in a long time, possibly hundreds or Has not erupted for a very long time, usually
thousands of years. tens of thousands or millions of years.

Shows signs of past eruptions, such as lava flows and Shows signs of past eruptions, but no recent
volcanic rocks. activity or signs of potential future eruptions.

The volcanic system is still considered active, with the The volcanic system is considered inactive,
potential for future eruptions. with no potential for future eruptions.

Mount St. Helens in Washington, USA Mount Vesuvius in Italy

2. Crater and Caldera

Answer:

Crater Caldera

An abrupt circular depression It is a large, may or may not be a circular

1. formed by extrusion of volcanic depression or basin associated with a volcanic
material. vent.

2. It is formed by outward explosion of It is formed by inward collapse or subsidence of a

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Crater Caldera

rocks from volcano. volcano.

3. It is always circular. It may or may not be as circular as a crater.

3. Acid Lava and Basic Lava

Answer: Acidic Lava:

1. It is highly viscous lava.

2. It is light coloured like granite.
3. It has low density.
4. It has a high percentage of silica.
5. It flows slowly and results in steep sided cones or lava domes.
Basic Lava:

1. It is highly fine and thin.

2. It is dark coloured like Basalt.
3. It has high density.
4. It is poor in silica.
5. It flows rapidly as thin sheets resulting in shield cones.

4. Volcanic Cone and Volcanic Plateau

Answer:

Volcanic Cone Volcanic Plateau

A volcanic cone is a hill or mountain-shaped A volcanic plateau is a large, flat or gently sloping
landform formed by the accumulation of lava, landform that is formed by the accumulation of
volcanic ash, and other volcanic materials around lava flows from numerous eruptions over a wide
a vent. area.

Typically has a conical shape with a central vent Usually has a broad and flat or gently undulating
or crater at the summit. surface, covering a large geographic area.

Larger in size, covering extensive areas, often

spanning hundreds or thousands of square
Smaller in size compared to volcanic plateaus. kilometers.

Formed by relatively short and explosive Formed by numerous eruptions over an extended
eruptions, often from a single vent. period, with lava flows spreading out over time.

Mount St. Helens in the USA, Mount Vesuvius in Columbia River Plateau in the USA, Deccan
Italy. Plateau in India.
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Volcanic Cone Volcanic Plateau

Found as solitary peaks or as part of larger Often associated with hotspots or extensive
volcanic complexes. volcanic regions.

6. Dykes and Sills

Answer:
Dykes Sills
1. It is an intrusive igneous rock. 1. It is an intrusive igneous rock.

2. It is formed by intrusion of 2. It is formed by intrusion of lava

lava into horizontal layers. into vertical structures.

3. Sill is a layer like mass. 3. Dykes is a wall like mass.

4. Lava cools in pre-existing layers 4. Dykes cut vertically across the

parallel to the Earth's surface. horizontal structure of the rocks.

5. These extend in East-West 5. These extend in North-South

direction. direction

IV. Indicate the correct answer by writing the appropriate letter in the blanks:
1. Which one of the following is an extinct volcano?
(a) Krakatoa
(b) Pelee
(c) Fujiyama
(d) Vesuvius
2. Which one of the following is an extrusive landform?
(a) crater
(b) dyke
(c) laccolith
(d) batholith
3. The Circum-Pacific Belt contains about………………% of active volcanoes in the world.
(a) 50
(b) 60
(c) 70S
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(d) 80