Volcano forming

• What is magma?


  Molten rock beneath the Earth's surface.
• Where does volcanoes usually form?

  Plate margins
• what are Volcanoes distinctive features?

  magma chamber, main vent, secondary vent and crater
• What is a magma chamber?

  A region under the surface of the Earth where hot molten magma collects.
• What is a main vent?

  The thin narrow pipe in the middle of a volcano that connects the magma chamber to the crater.
• What is a secondary vent?

  The thin narrow pipe at the side of a volcano formed when the main vent is blocked.
• What is a crater?


  The hole at the top of a volcano where lava and ash escape.
• Volcanoes have a large effect on their locality?

  They produce ash, lava, volcanic bombs, pyroclastic flows and lahars
• What is lava?


  Molten rock that is released from the Earth's core in a volcano or fissure.
• What is a volcanic bomb?

  Large blocks of hot rock thrown from a volcano.
• what is a pyroclastic flow? A current of hot gas and rock that flows downhill at high speed.
• What is lahar?


  A destructive volcanic landslide or mudflow, consisting of a mixture of volcanic debris, mud, rock and water.
• What volcano properties can effect the globe climate?

  Ash
• What are some positive effects of volcanoes?


  Geothermal energy

  Ash ejected by the volcano acts as a good fertilizer for soils.

  Volcanoes attract many tourists
• What is geothermal energy?

  Energy from the heat of the Earth.
• What are some negative effects of volcanoes?

  Volcanoes are dangerous

  Economic activity can suffer as it is hard for businesses to operate after an eruption.

  Habitats and landscapes are damaged by lava flows.
• What are the two main types of volcanoes?

  composite and shield
• Where can composite volcanoes be found?

  Composite volcanoes are found on destructive plate margins
• characteristics of composite volcanoes?

  Acidic lava, which is very viscous (sticky)

  Steep sides as the lava doesn't flow very far before it solidifies.

  Alternate layers of ash and lava. For this reason, they're also known as stratovolcanoes

  Violent eruptions

  Longer periods between eruptions.
• Example of a composite volcanoes?

  Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines
• Where is the shield volcanoes found?

  Constructive plate margins
• characteristics of shield volcano?

  Basic lava , which is non-acidic and very runny

  gentle sides as the lava flows for long distances before it solidifies

  no layers, as the volcano just consists of lava

  less violent eruptions

  shorter periods between eruptions
• Where was Mauna Loa formed?

  Over a hotspot
• Composite and shield volcanoes

  • Found along plate margins
  • Have distinctive characteristics
  • Can have both positive and negative effects on people and the landscape
• Monitoring volcanoes


  1. Use seismometers to measure earthquakes

  2. Use tiltmeters and GPS satellites to monitor changes in landscape

  3. Monitor gases escaping from volcano using robots called Spiders

  4. Measure temperature

  5. Analyse past history of eruptions to identify patterns
• Seismometer


  A machine that detects seismic waves caused by earthquakes
• Tiltmeter


  A device that measures any changes in the 'tilt' of the landscape. It is used often for studying volcanoes.
• Main vent


  The thin narrow pipe in the middle of a volcano that connects the magma chamber to the crater
• Volcanic eruptions are unpredictable
• Scientists can monitor volcanoes to estimate when they are likely to erupt
• Composite and shield volcanoes

  • Found along plate margins
  • Have distinctive characteristics
  • Can have both positive and negative effects on people and the landscape
• Volcanoes can provide people with many benefits
• Benefits of living by a volcano

  • Volcanic rock and ash provide fertile land which results in a higher crop yield for farmers
  • Tourists are attracted to the volcano, which increases money to the local economy
  • Geothermal energy can be harnessed, which provides cheaper electricity for locals
  • Minerals are contained in lava, eg diamonds - these can be mined to make money