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Vulcanism Vulcanicity-Vulcan (Roman) - God of Fire

Vulcanism refers to various geological processes involving molten rocks and gases being forced from the earth's interior to the surface. It includes volcanic eruptions and the formation of volcanic features underground, such as batholiths, sills, and dykes. When magma reaches the surface, it is called lava and can form volcanoes, lava plateaus, or lava plains. The shape and size of a volcanic cone depends on the type of eruption and composition of the material ejected. Volcanic activity can result in precious gems and minerals and geothermal energy from geysers and hot springs.

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88 views12 pages

Vulcanism Vulcanicity-Vulcan (Roman) - God of Fire

Vulcanism refers to various geological processes involving molten rocks and gases being forced from the earth's interior to the surface. It includes volcanic eruptions and the formation of volcanic features underground, such as batholiths, sills, and dykes. When magma reaches the surface, it is called lava and can form volcanoes, lava plateaus, or lava plains. The shape and size of a volcanic cone depends on the type of eruption and composition of the material ejected. Volcanic activity can result in precious gems and minerals and geothermal energy from geysers and hot springs.

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trevor
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Vulcanism

Vulcanicity- Vulcan(Roman)- God of fire.

Vulcanicity is various ways by which molten rocks and gases are forced into the earth’s crust and on to the surface,
Causes: Internal heat, amount of radioactive, contraction of earths surface, plate tectonics.

Vulcanicity includes:

• Volcanic eruption- The formation of volcanoes, lava plateaus and geysers.


• Formation of volcanic features- Batholiths, sill and dykes in the crust.

Volcano- Opening that allows molten rocks from beneath the earth crust to reach the surface.

Molten rocks in the mantle are called magma found in magma chamber.
As magma rises, they force their way through the cracks of the crust.
Magma may stay in the crust to form batholith, sills and dykes.
It may reach the surface quietly or with great violence.
If the magma contains a lot of gases, especially steam, a violent eruption is expected.
When magma reaches the surface it loses its gases and called lava.
Volcanic features formed in the crust

Batholith: Is a large mass of magma which accumulates in the crust.


Forms the root or core of mountain.
Are made of granite and form surface features only after denudation.
Sill: A sheet of magma a long a bedding plane.
When exposed by erosion some form ridge-like escarpment.
When a river crosses a sill sometimes a water fall is formed.
Dykes/dike: When a mass of magma cuts across bedding planes.
Sometimes the rocks on either side of the dyke could be more or less resistant.
Volcanic features formed on the surface.

Magma reaches the surface through:


• Vent- hole
• Fissure- Crack

If lava emerges via a vent, it usually builds up a volcano (a cone-shaped mound).


If it emerges from a fissure, it may build up a lava plain or a lava plateau.
The mound of a volcano is called the cone.
May consist of lava, rocks, ash or cinder(small fragment of lava).
Shape and size of cone depends on the nature of the cones material and the type of eruption.
The channel through which the lava rises is called the pipe.
The exit of the pipe is called crater.

Vent – opening allowing air, gas or liquid to pass.


Pipe – Tube used to convey.
Lava cone: Shape and size of cone largely depends on the nature of the cone’s material and the type of eruption.
The slope of the cone depends on whether the lava was fluid or viscous.
Viscous – steeply sloping cone.
Viscous lava- forms spine or plug dome.

Composite cone: Formed from alternative layers of ash and lava.


When the top of the composite cone is blown off, it forms caldera.
Caldera can also be formed through subsidence.
Volcanic activities
3 stages of life cycle of a volcano.
Active – If it has erupted in the Holocene period.
Dormant -
Extinct- Cut-off from their magma supply.

Geysers –
Hot springs -
Volcanic activities sometimes result in formation of precious stones and minerals (Diamonds)
Geysers can be used to drive turbines (geothermal) while hot springs used to warm the house.

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