VOLCANO
What is a volcano?
A mountain where lava comes from a magma chamber under the ground.
It has a summit, slope and a base.
It erupts when magma and pressure come together, and the pressure blows off the tip of the solid
rock and the magma pours out.
How are volcanoes formed?
They are formed thru 2 main ways:
1. When two tectonic plates come together and one of them goes under the continental plate. This is
the process of subduction. Afterwards, it makes melts the magma and when the pressure builds up,
the magma burst thru the earth’s crust.
2. When a tectonic plate moves over a hot spot in the earth’s crust. The hot spot works its way thru
the crust until it breaks out. The Caldera of Yellowstone Park was formed in that way; so were in the
Hawaiian Islands.
Types of Volcanoes:
1. SHIELD VOLCANO
are built out of layers of lava from continual eruptions (without explosion)
do not grow to a great height, and the layers of the lava spread out to give the volcano
gently sloping slides.
Can be huge
Mauna Kea in Hawaii is the biggest mountain on earth and is an example of a shield volcano
2. STARTOVOLCANO
Also known as a COMPOSITE Volcano, is tall and conical volcano
It is built up of many layers of hardened lava, tephra, pumice, and volcanic ash
Have steep profile and periodic eruptions. Its lava is sticky and high in viscosity.
Mt. Fuji in Japan is one of the composite volcanoes.
Caldera – is what is left when a huge stratovolcano blows its top off. It leaves a crater. Mt. Krakatoa
is best known for its catastrophic eruption in 1883, is much smaller now.
Classification of Volcanoes:
1. Activity
A. Active Volcano – has record of eruption for the past 10,000 years
Dormant Volcano – Is sleeping but could be awaken in the future
B. Inactive / Extinct Volcano – has no record of eruption for the past 10,000 years
Edinburgh Castle in Scotland is located on top of an extinct volcano
What determines the eruption?
Magma’s Temperature The higher the magma’s temperature the lower
These factors affect the
Chemical Composition it’s viscosity.
viscosity of the magma.
Amount of Gases Magma with high silica content are more
viscous.
Types of Volcanic Eruption
1. Phreatic or Hydrothermal – a stream driven eruption, as the hot rocks comes in contact
with water.
2. Phreatomagmatic – a violent eruption due to the contact with water and magma
3. Strombolian – a periodic weak to violent eruption characterized by fountain of lava
4. Vulcanian – characterized by tall eruption columns that reach up to 20 km high with
pyroclastic flow and ash fall tephra.
5. Plinian – excessively explosive type of eruption of gas and pyroclastics
Effect of Magma’s Temperature to Viscosity - The temperature of magma significantly
affects its viscosity; as temperature increases , viscosity decreases , allowing the
magma to flow more easily. Higher temperatures lead to greater fluidity, while lower
temperatures result in thicker, more resistant magma.
Effect of Magma’s Composition to Viscosity - Magmas with high silica tend to have high
viscosity. Magmas with low silica content, have lower viscosity.
Effect of Amount of Gases in Magma to Viscosity - The amount of gases dissolved in
magma significantly affects its viscosity, influencing both the physical properties of the magma
and the nature of volcanic eruptions. Gas dissolved in magma tends to increase its ability to flow.
Signs of Impending Volcanic Eruption
There are changes in geochemical and geophysical characteristics of a volcano, such as
increase in volume and temperature of gas composition and increase in the frequency of
volcanic quakes.
Color of steam emission changes from white to gray due to ash.
Crater glows due to the presence of magma at or near the crater.
Deformation of the ground because magma intrusion and appearance of fractures on the
sides of volcano can be observed.
Increasing frequency of landslides and rock falls from cliffs.
Drying up of vegetation around the volcano’s upper slopes becomes noticeable.
Continuous increase in the temperature of hot springs, wells and lakes on craters.
How do Volcanoes erupt?
Magma inside the volcano has high temperature. As the magma is continuously heated, it goes
up. As it rises, gas bubbles are developed. The gas bubbles are trapped and expand causing
molten materials to swell also, resulting in a gradual increase in pressure within the volcano.
When the pressure exceeds the strength of the overlying rock, fracturing occurs. The resulting
breaks lead to a further drop in confining pressure, which in turn causes even more gas bubbles
to form. When the pressure exceeds the strength of the overlying rock, fracturing occurs. The
resulting breaks lead to a further drop in confining pressure, which in turn causes even more gas
bubbles to form.
Volcanic Hazards:
Pyroclastic flow and surges
Ash Fall
Gas Emission
Tephra Falls and Ballistic Projectiles
Lahar
Debris avalanche
Volcanic Tsunamis
Benefits of Volcanoes:
Volcanic soil is rich in nutrients and very fertile for growing crops.
They can form new land masses and islands.
Making of earthenware out of ash fall.
Volcanoes provide geothermal energy.
-Philippines is 2nd rank in the world’s production of geothermal energy.
-27% of the electricity is generated in the power plants
-production of electricity from geothermal energy is cheaper than using natural gas, coal
and hydropower.
Negative Effects of Volcanoes:
Loss of lives and properties
Decrease in the Earth’s surface temperature
