Understanding Volcanoes and Their Features
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Mark Jesson SoposoUnderstanding Volcanoes and Their Features
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Mark Jesson SoposoVolcanoe
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Volcanoes
The study of the relief features of the Earth’s crust
is known as geomorphology.
Diastrophism- the process of movement and
deformation of the earth's crust that gives rise to
large-scale features such as continents, ocean
basins, and mountains.
Erosion- the geological process in which earthen
materials are worn away and transported by
natural forces such as wind or water.
Weathering - the breakdown of rocks at the
Earth's surface, by the action of rainwater,
extremes of temperature, and biological activity.
Vulcanism- Volcanism, volcanicity,
or volcanic activity is the phenomenon
where solids, liquids, gases, and their
mixtures erupt to the surface of a solid-
surface astronomical body such as a planet
or a moon.[1] It is caused by the presence of a
heat source, usually internally generated,
inside the body; the heat is generated by
various processes, such as radioactive decay
or tidal heating.
Geyser -is a spring with an intermittent
discharge of water ejected turbulently
and accompanied by steam. The
formation of geysers is fairly rare, and
is caused by particular hydrogeological
conditions that exist only in a few
places on Earth.
Fumarole - openings in the
earth's surface that emit steam
and volcanic gases, such as sulfur
dioxide and carbon dioxide.
Hot spring - heated by
geothermal heat—heat from the
Earth's interior. In volcanic areas,
water may come into contact with
very hot rock heated by magma.
Hot springs in active volcanic
zones may produce superheated
water, so hot that immersion can
result in injury or death.
Volcano
Is an example of extrusive
volcanism. It typically a cone-
shaped hill or mountain formed
by the extrusion of lava or the
ejection of rock fragments from
a vent. It is a passage or rupture
through the Earth’s crust
leading to hot liquid deposits of
magma within the mantle.
At present. Of the 859 active
volcanoes in the world, more than
75% of them are located in the Circle
of fire (also known as the pacific ring
of fire). This circle is the belt of
volcanoes that rings the pacific
ocean. It runs west of the coast of
amera, from chile to Alaska, through
the andes mountains, central
America, Mexico, California, the
cascade coast of asia from Siberia to
new zealand, through Kamchatka,
the kurile islands, Japan, Philippines,
Celebes, new guinea, the Solomon
islands, and New Caledonia.
During the 1940’s up to the 1950s, geologist were
able to study for the first time the birth and
development of a new volcano, Paricutin, located
near the town of San Juan, Mexico. The volcano
began as a small crack in the crust from which
steam fizzed with volcanic sulfur odor followed by a
brief series of explosions.
Features of Paricutin was declared an active volcano
as violent explosions were seen during
Volcano the first five years, hurling pyroclastic
debris in all directions.
In 1952, Paricutin was declared
dormant due to its inactivity after
several years of continuous
explosion.
The features of a volcano are almost the same as that of a
mountain but with more complicated parts. The following
list presents the different features of a volcano:
Cone – the most striking part of the volcano, usually composed of
mixtures of lava and pyroclastic material. Viscous and slow-moving
granitic magma forms high-sided steep cones; while fast-moving
basaltic magma creates low to flat cones.
Vent - A vent is an opening in the Earth's crust through which
molten rock (magma), volcanic gases, and ash escape to the surface
during a volcanic eruption. Vents can be central (at the summit of a
volcano) or fissure-type (along cracks in the Earth's surface).
Magma Chamber - A magma chamber is a subsurface reservoir of
molten rock located beneath a volcano. It serves as the source of
magma for volcanic eruptions and is often connected to the surface
via conduits or pipes.
Crater - A crater is a bowl-shaped depression at the summit of a
volcano or around its vent, typically formed by explosive volcanic
activity or the collapse of material around the vent.
Caldera - A caldera is a large, basin-like depression that forms
when a volcano's magma chamber is emptied during a massive
eruption, causing the overlying ground to collapse. Calderas are
much larger than typical craters and can span several kilometers
in diameter.
Lava - Lava is molten rock that has reached the Earth's surface
through a volcanic vent. Upon cooling, lava solidifies to form
igneous rock. It can flow as streams, spread out in sheets, or build
up into various forms depending on its viscosity and eruption type.
Dikes - Dikes are vertical or steeply inclined sheets of solidified
magma that cut across layers of pre-existing rock. They form when
magma intrudes into fractures and solidifies before reaching the
surface.
Sills - Sills are horizontal or gently inclined sheets of
solidified magma that intrude between layers of existing
rock. Unlike dikes, sills are parallel to the bedding planes
of the host rock.
Conduit - A conduit is a passage or channel through
which magma travels from the magma chamber to the
surface during a volcanic eruption. It can take the form
of a pipe, fissure, or fracture within the volcano.
Flank - The flank refers to the side or slope of a
volcano. It is the area between the summit and the base
and can be a site of secondary vents or eruptions.
Summit - The summit is the highest point of a volcano,
often containing a central crater or caldera. It is typically
where the main vent or conduit reaches the surface.
Throat - The throat is the uppermost part of the
volcanic conduit, just below the vent, where magma,
gases, and pyroclastic material are expelled during an
eruption.
Ash Cloud - An ash cloud is a large plume of fine
volcanic ash, gas, and dust particles that is ejected into
the atmosphere during a volcanic eruption. These
clouds can travel great distances and impact air quality
and climate.
Volcanic Bombs - Volcanic bombs are large fragments
of molten rock ejected during a volcanic eruption that
cool and solidify while airborne. They are typically larger
than 64 millimeters in diameter and can take various
shapes depending on their flight and cooling dynamics.
Pyroclastic Flow- A pyroclastic flow is a fast-moving,
highly destructive mixture of hot gases, ash, volcanic
fragments, and rock that flows down the flanks of a volcano
during an explosive eruption. Temperatures in these flows
can exceed 1,000°C, and they can travel at speeds over
100 km/h.
Tephra Fall - Tephra fall refers to the deposition of
volcanic materials, such as ash, lapilli, and volcanic bombs,
that are ejected into the air during an eruption and settle
back to the ground over a wide area.
Lahar - A lahar is a volcanic mudflow or debris flow
composed of water, volcanic ash, rock, and debris. Lahars
are triggered by volcanic eruptions, rainfall, or melting ice
and can travel rapidly down river valleys, causing extensive
damage.
