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A shield volcano is a type of volcano named for its low profile, resembling a shield lying on the ground. It is formed by the eruption of highly fluid (low viscosity ) lava , which travels farther and forms thinner flows than the more viscous lava erupted from a stratovolcano .
A stratovolcano, also known as a composite volcano, is a typically conical volcano built up by many alternating layers of hardened lava and tephra. [1] Unlike shield volcanoes, stratovolcanoes are characterized by a steep profile with a summit crater and explosive eruptions. [2] Some have collapsed summit craters called calderas. [3]
This list of shield volcanoes includes active, dormant and extinct shield volcanoes. Shield volcanoes are one of the three types [ specify ] of volcanoes. They have a short cone shape, and have basaltic lava which means the lava has low viscosity (viscosity is a measure of the ability for a liquid to flow)
Unlike monogenetic volcanoes, polygenetic volcanoes reach massive sizes, such as Mauna Loa, which is the world's largest active volcano. Polygenetic volcanoes include stratovolcanoes , complex volcanoes , somma volcanoes , shield volcanoes and calderas .
Since low-viscosity magma is typically low in silica, shield volcanoes are more common in oceanic than continental settings. The Hawaiian volcanic chain is a series of shield cones, and they are common in Iceland, as well. [25] Olympus Mons, an extinct martian shield volcano is the largest known volcano in the Solar System. [26]
Unlike shield volcanoes, they are characterized by a steep profile and periodic, often alternating, explosive eruptions and effusive eruptions. Some have collapsed craters called calderas . The central core of a stratocone is commonly dominated by a central core of intrusive rocks that range from around 500 meters (1,600 ft) to over several ...
A complex volcano, also called a compound volcano or a volcanic complex, is a mixed landform consisting of related volcanic centers and their associated lava flows and pyroclastic rock. [1] They may form due to changes in eruptive habit or in the location of the principal vent area on a particular volcano. [ 2 ]
The most important types of volcanic mountain are composite cones or stratovolcanoes and shield volcanoes. [10] [11] A shield volcano has a gently sloping cone because of the low viscosity of the emitted material, primarily basalt. Mauna Loa is the classic example, with a slope of 4°-6°.