Vulcanism

A volcano - is an opening in the Earth’s crust that allows magma, hot ash and
gases to escape. Volcanoes can look like mountains or small hills, depending on
what type they are.

Magma is molten rock - rock that is so hot it has turned into liquid.

NB- When magma reaches the surface of the Earth it is called lava and comes out
of the volcano as a volcanic eruption, along with gases and ash.

Diagram of a Volcano

Eruptions from volcanoes can be very dangerous. They can produce:

 pyroclastic flows - fast moving clouds of hot ash, gas and rock
 ash clouds - small pieces of rock and glass that can be carried in the air for
many kilometres

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  volcanic bombs - large bits of very hot rock blown out of a volcano

Materials that are emitted from a volcano

- Magma, ash, cinder, smoke, gases

Causes of Volcanic eruptions

1. The most common type of eruption is caused by the movement of tectonic

plates.

a. When one is pushed under the other the magma, sediment and seawater is
forced into the chamber which eventually overflows and the volcano erupts
spewing lava into the sky.

This kind of eruption produces sticky, thick lava at temperatures from 800 to 1,000C.

b. The second type of eruption caused by tectonic plates is when the plates move
away from each other allowing magma to rise and fill the gap, which can cause a
gentle explosion of thin lava of temperatures between 800 to 1,200C. E.g. Andes
mountains.

2. Decreasing temperatures can cause old magma to crystallise and sink to the
bottom of the chamber and this movement can force fresh liquid magma up and
out - similar to dropping a brick in a bucket of water.
3. Finally, a decrease in external pressure can trigger an eruption as it may
minimise the volcano's ability to hold back by increasing the pressures inside the
magma chamber. This kind of eruption can be caused by natural events such as
typhoons, which decrease rock density, and glacial melting on the top of the
volcano which alters the molten rock composition.

4. Other volcanoes, such as Mauna Loa in Hawaii are caused by hot spots in
the Earth’s crust. These do not erupt violently and lava usually flows slowly out
of them.

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What happens inside of a volcano?
Volcanoes are formed by eruptions of lava and ash when magma rises through cracks
or weak-spots in the Earth's crust.

A build up of pressure in the earth is released, by things such as a plate movement

which forces molten rock to explode into the air causing a volcanic eruption.

The lava from the eruption then cools to form a new crust.

Over time, generally several eruptions, the rock builds up and forms a volcano.

Types of Lava – determines the shape of the volcano

Basic lava – which is non-acidic and very runny (liquid). Gentle sides as
the lava flows for long distances before it solidifies. No layers, as the volcano just
consists of lava. Less violent eruptions.

Acid lava - magmas have low melting points high viscosity, high gas pressure, but
low gas solubility at low containing pressure. Therefore, acidic volcanism is
characterized by explosive eruptions in which large amounts of pyroclastic material
are generated. Steep sided volcanoes.

What are the different types of Volcano?

There are three different types of volcano and each produces and releases a different
type of lava:

A. Shield volcano These volcanoes have a flat dome-like appearance and

release lava in a gentle manner that is generally slow and easy for humans
and animals to out-run. They produce Basaltic lava, which is the most
common type found on earth. Shield volcanoes tend to erupt frequently but
are relatively gentle eruptions. Kilauea volcano in Hawaii is a shield

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 volcano. They tend to erupt more frequently and on a smaller scale than
other volcanoes.

Shield volcanoes are found on constructive plate margins, where two plates move
away from one another. Shield volcanoes have the following characteristics:

 basic lava, which is non-acidic and very runny

 gentle sides as the lava flows for long distances before it solidifies
 no layers, as the volcano just consists of lava
 less violent eruptions
 shorter periods between eruptions

B. Stratovolcano also called composite cone. This type has the classic cone
shape associated with volcanoes. These volcanoes produce large violent
eruptions which often lead to mud-slides and produce fast moving clouds of
hot gas and volcanic matter called pyroclastic flow. Stratovolacnoes
produce andesitic magma, which is molten rock formed at plate boundaries
which typically cools and hardens before spreading too far but can reach
up to temperatures of 400C. Krakatoa, Vesuvius and Mount Agung are
examples of this type of volcano.

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Composite volcanoes are found on destructive plate margins, where the oceanic
crust sinks beneath the continental crust. Composite volcanoes have the following
characteristics:

 Acidic lava, which is very viscous (sticky).

 Steep sides as the lava doesn't flow very far before it solidifies.
 Alternatelayers of ash and lava. For this reason, they're also known
as stratovolcanoes. Strato means layers.
 Violent eruptions.
 Longer periods between eruptions.

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Stages of Volcanoes

i. Active – have volcanic activity and have been erupting presently

ii. Dormant – have not erupted in some time but there is evidence of volcanic
activity.
iii. Extinct – this volcano has not erupted in a years and does not show any
evidence of volcanic activity for years.

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 Volcanic islands in the Caribbean

Montserrat, Guadeloupe, Grenada, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, and Dominica

Characteristics of Volcanic Islands

i. Has many rivers, waterfalls

ii. Has boiling/hot springs
iii. Is hilly and mountainous and has rugged roads
iv. Has rich fertile soil so it’s is suitable for agriculture
vi. Has a good water supply because it generally experiences plenty rainfall
vii. Has some volcanic activity