What is a Shield Volcano?

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?...