Shield Volcano

Where is the most famous shield volcano?

Mauna Loa is the largest shield volcano found on the Island of Hawaii.

What are the three types of volcanoes?

The most well-known types of volcanoes are cinder cones, composite volcanoes and shield volcanoes.

What are two shield volcanoes?

Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa are shield volcanoes.

What is the oldest volcano ever?

The world’s oldest identified volcano is believed to be the “Puy de Dome” in the Massif Central in France.

What are 3 shield volcano examples?

Shield volcano examples are following: Kilauea and Mauna Loa , Fernandina , Karthala, Erta Ale, Tolbachik, Masaya.

Where is the largest shield volcano in the world?

Hawaiian volcano Puhahonu is the largest and hottest shield volcano on Earth.



Shield Volcano: Definition, Examples, characteristics, Diagram

A shield volcano is a type of volcano characterized by its broad, gently sloping profile resembling a warrior’s shield. These volcanoes are primarily built by the accumulation of low-viscosity basaltic lava flows. The lava flows are often highly fluid, allowing them to travel long distances from the vent before solidifying.

In this article, We have covered the Shield Volcano Definition, Examples, Formation, Location Characteristics, and many more in Detail.

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Shield Volcano

Table of Content

  • Shield Volcano Definition
  • What is a Shield Volcano?
  • Examples of Shield volcanoes
  • Location of Shield Volcano
  • Characteristics of Shield Volcano
  • Shield Volcano Formation
  • Shield Volcano Eruption
  • Components of Shield Volcano
  • Difference between Shield volcano & Composite Volcano
  • Conclusion – Shield Volcano

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Shield Volcano Definition

The largest volcanoes in terms of volume with a diameter of up to hundreds of kilometres are known as Shield Volcanoes. The name of the shield volcano is derived from its appearance. In comparison with the two other types of volcanoes, it is significantly flatter while having a larger area. When viewed from above, it resembles a warrior’s shield with long, gently sloping sides and a slightly raised centre....

What is a Shield Volcano?

Shield volcanoes are a type of volcano white erupts basalt lava. As basalt has a low viscosity (more watery), it can flow on the surface easily. During the eruption of these types of volcanoes, lava flows outwards at large distances. Shield Volcano derived its name from its shape, which looks quite similar to a warrior’s shield seen from the side. It’s much wider than it is high. Shield volcanoes are built up of many flows of runny lava, each of which is relatively thin, only a few meters thick. A shield volcano is formed when low viscosity, runny lava from a volcano extends far from its source and takes the form of a volcano with gentle slopes. Liquid basaltic lava flows compose the majority of shield volcanoes....

Examples of Shield volcanoes

Few examples of Shield Volcano are:...

Location of Shield Volcano

Shield volcanoes are located anywhere where there is basaltic (or even sometimes andesitic) volcanism, including at oceanic hot spot tracks for example in the Hawaiian Islands. Sometimes they are also present at mid-ocean spreading ridges....

Characteristics of Shield Volcano

The following are the characteristics of Shield Volcano:...

Shield Volcano Formation

Lava is released from centralised vents in the Earth’s crust and flows down the sides of the volcano’s slopes as a low-viscosity flow over time. Shield Volcanoes are formed when this basaltic lava flow grows in bulk. Shield volcanoes are shaped differently from other types of volcanoes by the basaltic lava that forms them. The shield volcano’s surface is broad because to its rapid flow and increased coverage of land. A new layer of hardened lava is created on top of the previously formed layer by additional basaltic lava flowing over the surface during each eruption. The shield volcano is formed when these layers gradually rise. As the lava flows, the volcano’s elevation climbs with time, resulting in an increasingly wider surface....

Shield Volcano Eruption

The Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) typically ranges from 0 to 1, with most shield volcano eruptions being nonexplosive (effusive) and characterised by a Hawaiian-style eruption. Lava flows become fluid during these eruptions, and fire fountains could result. Lava flows can cover enormous areas quickly and are facilitated by high eruption rates....

Components of Shield Volcano

Shield volcanoes consist of multiple components:...

Difference between Shield volcano & Composite Volcano

The following table lists the differences between Shield and Composite Volcano:...

Conclusion on Shield Volcano

A shield volcano is a wide volcano with sloping sides that is mostly generated by lava flowing from the summit vent in the centre. In contrast to composite volcanoes, which generate towering mountains with conical peaks, shield volcanoes are the largest volcanoes on Earth. Rather, they resemble flat warrior’s shields on Earth and are large, gently sloping volcanoes....

FAQs on Shield Volcano

Where is the most famous shield volcano?...