The Earth is a birthplace for incredible natural disasters. These are earthquakes, tsunamis, and tornadoes to name just a few. But one disaster, famously known for its ability to spew hot magma from an opening in its surface is considered the most captivating. Volcanoes, whose name originates from Vulcan the Roman god of fire, are some of the most stunning and fascinating processes to occur underneath and on the surface of the earth. To better understand volcanoes this essay will touch on several topics including, what volcanoes are, their various types, their relationship with earthquakes, hazards and examples of volcanoes. From the typical ‘red foam’ erupting volcano science project to the real deal natural disaster, almost everyone has a
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Though one familiar image may come to mind, there are actually many different types of volcanoes. Cinder cone volcanoes are the most common type. According to an article by NASA, “these volcanoes consist almost entirely of loose, grainy cinders consisting typically of basaltic and andesitic material and almost no lava” (Volcano Types). Cinder cones are small volcanoes and tend to only rise about 1,000 feet and their craters are small and have steep sides. Though usually classified as a major volcano, they are much smaller than most other major volcanoes and can sometimes even form along the sides of shield and composite volcanoes. Composite volcanoes, also known as stratovolcanoes, are “symmetrical cones of large dimension built of alternating layers of lava flows, volcanic ash, cinders, blocks and bombs and may rise as much as 8,000 feet above their bases.” (Volcanoes General FAQ’s). They are very steep and can be 10-20 miles wide. Composite volcanoes have many vents which pyroclastic flows escape from. These volcanoes usually have explosive eruptions due to their thick, highly viscous lava that moves at high speeds, this makes them very dangerous. Composite volcanoes are also conspicuous and “disguised” as mountains. Another type of volcano is the shield volcano. They are very large, and can be …show more content…
Earthquakes may be caused by the movements of magma within a volcano’s chamber, but also vice versa with heavy seismic shifts cracking open into the inside of a nearby volcano. Both volcanoes and earthquakes can associated with tectonic plate movements as well. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, “the Ring of Fire is a string of underwater volcanoes and earthquake sites around the edges of the Pacific Ocean.” Most of the Earth 's volcanoes and earthquakes occur around the Pacific Ring of Fire because that is the location of most of the Earth 's subduction zones. Subduction is when a tectonic plate sinks beneath another, and a subduction zone is the area in which subduction occurs. In this case, dense oceanic plates sink beneath the less dense continental plates. But what causes volcanoes and earthquakes to happen along these
Though one familiar image may come to mind, there are actually many different types of volcanoes. Cinder cone volcanoes are the most common type. According to an article by NASA, “these volcanoes consist almost entirely of loose, grainy cinders consisting typically of basaltic and andesitic material and almost no lava” (Volcano Types). Cinder cones are small volcanoes and tend to only rise about 1,000 feet and their craters are small and have steep sides. Though usually classified as a major volcano, they are much smaller than most other major volcanoes and can sometimes even form along the sides of shield and composite volcanoes. Composite volcanoes, also known as stratovolcanoes, are “symmetrical cones of large dimension built of alternating layers of lava flows, volcanic ash, cinders, blocks and bombs and may rise as much as 8,000 feet above their bases.” (Volcanoes General FAQ’s). They are very steep and can be 10-20 miles wide. Composite volcanoes have many vents which pyroclastic flows escape from. These volcanoes usually have explosive eruptions due to their thick, highly viscous lava that moves at high speeds, this makes them very dangerous. Composite volcanoes are also conspicuous and “disguised” as mountains. Another type of volcano is the shield volcano. They are very large, and can be …show more content…
Earthquakes may be caused by the movements of magma within a volcano’s chamber, but also vice versa with heavy seismic shifts cracking open into the inside of a nearby volcano. Both volcanoes and earthquakes can associated with tectonic plate movements as well. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, “the Ring of Fire is a string of underwater volcanoes and earthquake sites around the edges of the Pacific Ocean.” Most of the Earth 's volcanoes and earthquakes occur around the Pacific Ring of Fire because that is the location of most of the Earth 's subduction zones. Subduction is when a tectonic plate sinks beneath another, and a subduction zone is the area in which subduction occurs. In this case, dense oceanic plates sink beneath the less dense continental plates. But what causes volcanoes and earthquakes to happen along these