Republic of the Philippines

PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Binmaley Campus
Binmaley, Pangasinan

Volcanism:
Types of Volcanoes
Types and Causes of Volcanic Eruption

Prepared By:
Summer Mae D. Lozada
Cristita Doria
Patrick Echo Cruz

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Volcanism is a geological process where hot molten rock from underneath the earth
reaches the surface through an opening in the ground. The most recognizable form of an
opening is a volcano where molten material flows out onto the surface during a volcanic
eruption.

An eruption describes how the molten material was ejected; whether it was violent (explosive
eruptions), non-explosive (effusive eruptions), or what caused the eruption (hydrothermal,
phreatic, phreatomagmatic, etc.).

The hot, molten material is called magma when it’s still underground and lava when it reaches
the surface.

What is a Volcano?
A volcano is a conical hill or mountain formed by material from the mantle being forced through
an opening or vent in the Earth's crust.
❖ A volcano is a vent or ‘chimney’ that connects molten rocks (magma) from within the
Earth’s crust to the Earth’s surface.

How Volcanoes Are Formed.

The formation of volcanoes is deeply tied with the theory of plate tectonics. There are three
main ways magma can rise to form volcanoes:

1. Convergent boundaries.

When two plates come together, it is known as a convergent boundary. The impact of the
colliding plates can cause the edges of one or both plates to buckle up into a mountain ranges
or one of the plates may bend down into a deep seafloor trench.
2. Divergent boundaries

When plates move apart, there is a reduction of pressure in the lithosphere, allowing for magma
in the asthenosphere to rise and induce partial melting of the surrounding rocks. A good
example of divergent boundary-produced volcanism can be found in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

3. Hotspots and mantle plumes

Mantle plumes are areas where the mantle rises towards the surface, originating from deep
within the mantle. A hotspot is the surface manifestation of a mantle plume.

Unlike the other two ways, volcanism at hotspots does not occur at plate boundaries. As plates
move above a hotspot, the increase in temperature induces partial melting and generates
hotspot volcanism.

The most famous example of hotspot volcanism is the Hawaiian-Emperor Seamount Chain.
Volcano Morphology

Different types of volcanoes have different shapes and sizes. However, most volcanoes share
certain characteristics. Here is the anatomy of a generalized volcano

1. Magma chamber – the reservoir of molten material in the Earth crust; replenished with
magma from a deeper reservoir in the mantle
2. Main vent – the pathway for magma to come the surface
3. Crater – bowl-shaped depression located at the summit of the volcano that serves as
the opening of the volcano to the Earth’s surface
4. Secondary cone – smaller parasitic volcanoes that feed on the same magma chamber
as the main volcano through secondary vents; usually emits volcanic gas called
fumaroles
5. Pyroclastic materials – any kind of volcanic material that is extruded by a volcano such
as bombs, blocks, ashes, and others

Types of Volcano

1. Shield volcanoes

Shield volcanoes are large dome-shaped volcanoes that have broad gentle slopes and large
craters. The largest volcano on Earth, Mauna Loa in Hawaii, is a shield volcano.

These volcanoes get their broad form due to the accumulation of layers of runny, fast-moving
basaltic lava flows.

Shield volcanic eruptions are typically gentle and non-explosive, consisting of lava fountains,
lava flows, and rarely any pyroclastic materials.

2. Cinder cones
Cinder cones (also known as scoria cones or ash-cinder cones) are steeper and have smaller
craters than shield volcanoes. They are usually made up of loose pyroclastic material called
scoria, a dark-colored igneous rock that is highly vesicular (has lots of vesicles or cavities)
made from extruded basaltic magma.

Cinder cone eruptions are moderately explosive, with lava coming from inside the vent or at the
base of the volcano. Cinder cones usually have a short lifespan and are the most common
types of volcanoes.

3. Composite volcanoes or Stratovolcanoes

A composite volcano is probably the most recognizable form of the volcano, with its symmetrica
steep-sided cone-shaped morphology. Alternating layers of viscous andesitic lava flows,
volcanic ash, and cinders are responsible for its shape.

Eruptions tend to be violently explosive and can cause lava flows, pyroclastic flows, large ash
clouds, and even lahar. Famous examples of stratovolcanoes are Mt. Fuji in Japan and Mt.
Mayon in the Philippines.
When a particularly explosive eruption occurs, the stratovolcano could collapse and form a large
depression called a caldera. Our very own Taal Volcano is a good example of a caldera filled in
by water, creating the Taal Lake

Volcano-related Hazards.
Volcanoes can be deadly forces of nature and impacts of volcanic hazards have been
well-documented throughout the years. Here are some of the common volcanic hazards:

1. Pyroclastic Flow.

A pyroclastic flow is a rapidly-moving current consisting of hot gases and tephra (volcanic
material) driven by gravity. They are also known as nuée ardentes (French term meaning
“glowing cloud”). Pyroclastic flows usually accompany explosive eruptions.

2. Lahars.

Lahar flows occur when volcanic material becomes saturated with water, possibly from rainfall
or melted ice, and rapidly descends down steep volcano slopes.

This type of volcanic hazard is particularly dangerous because it can happen even when a the
volcano is not erupting. The lahar flows during and after the 1991 Mt. Pinatubo Eruption is a
good example of the destructive power that lahar flows can bring.

3. Lava flows

Depending on the viscosity of the lava, lava flows can spread out over large distances. Runny
lava flows spread out more quickly before they solidify, compared to viscous lava.

Due to extreme temperatures (from 600C to 1000 C), lava flows cannot be easily diverted or
stopped. Fortunately, most lava flows can be outrun by a person on foot.

There are three main types of lava flows. The first one is called aa flows (pronounced as
“ah-ah”) and is characterized by spiky and rough surfaces. The second one is called pahoehoe
flows (pronounced as “pa-hoy-hoy”) and is described as having a “rope-y” appearance with
smooth surfaces. The last one occurs when lava is extruded along the oceanic ridge, producing
smooth rounded shapes called pillow lavas.

Volcanoes in the Philippines are classified as active (erupted within the last 600 years),
potentially active, and inactive. As of 2020, there are 24 active volcanoes out of 407 volcanoes
in the Philippines (Delos Reyes, 2018).

Inside a Volcano
● The magma chamber is a collection of magma inside the Earth, below the volcano.
● The main vent is the main outlet for the magma to escape.
● Secondary vents are smaller outlets through which magma escapes.
● The crater is created after an eruption blows the top off the volcano.

Stages of a Volcano
>Still active and erupt frequently
>dormant (temporarily inactive but no fully extinct)
>extinct (never likely to erupt again)

Types of Volcanic Eruptions

Phreatic

➔ Phreatic eruption is made up of stream-driven explosions that occur when water beneath
the ground or on the surface is heated by volcanic activity.
❖ The water, once heated, begins to boil or can even flash straight to steam, causing an
explosion

Phreatomagmatic

It is a violent eruption due to the contact between water and magma.

Strombolian

Strombolian eruptions are moderately explosive eruptions of basaltic magma with moderate gas
content. Strombolian eruptions consist of intermittent, discrete explosive bursts which eject
pyroclasts as high as hundreds of feet into the air in firework-like incandescent rooster-tails.

Vulcanian
It is characterized by tall eruption that reach up to 20 km high with pyroclastic flow and ash fall
tephra.

Plinian

- Plinian eruptions are extremely explosive eruptions, producing ash columns that extend
many tens of miles into the stratosphere and that spread out into an umbrella shape.
- These large eruptions produce widespread deposits of fallout ash.
- Eruption columns may also collapse due to density to form thick pyroclastic flows.

KINDS OF ERUPTION

➢ Explosive
➢ Effusive

EXPLOSIVE
Explosive eruptions eject large amounts of gas and a high viscosity (sticky) magma (Andesitic
or Rhyolitic magma).

- Explosive Shoots hot debris and gases

- No lava flows, but massive debris
- Dust clouds up the atmosphere

EFFUSIVE
If a magma has low viscosity (it is runny), gas can escape easily, so when the magma erupts at
the surface it forms lava flows. These eruptions are (relatively!) gentle, effusive eruptions. If a
magma rises very slowly within the conduit. or the throat of the volcano, all the gas can escape.

The most common eruption where huge amounts of lava are released.
● Lava- magma that reaches Earth’s surface
● Lava flows happen with non-explosive eruptions

Three products from an explosive eruption Ash fall

- Pyroclastic flow
- Pyroclastic surge
- Pyroclastic flows on Montserrat, buried the capital city.

Where are volcanoes located?

Volcanoes are found along destructive (subducting) plate boundaries, constructive (divergent)
plate boundaries and at hot spots in the earth's surface.
What is the Ring of Fire?
The 'Ring of Fire' is a volcanic chain surrounding the Pacific Ocean. The 'Ring of Fire' is famous
for its regular earthquake and volcanic activity. More than half of the world's active volcanoes
above sea level form part of the ring.

DiD You KnoW?

• Molten rock has two different names. If it is
underground we call it magma. Once it has
erupted and is above the ground we call it lava.
• Real lava is made from melted rocks. It heats up
deep underground, and the rocks turn into lava,
just like the way ice turns into water.
• Pumice stone is volcanic rock with air bubbles
trapped inside. The air inside gives it a low
density, and it floats in water. Get some pumice
stone and play with it in the bath!

Doria, Cristita Reyes.

BSE 2
Summary in Earth & Science

Causes of Volcanic Eruption

-a part of the earth’s upper mantle or lower crust melts,magma forms.

-volcano is essentially an opening or a vent through which this magma and the dissolved gases
it contains are discharge,

The Predominate ;

-the bouyancy of the magma, the pressure from the exsolved gases in the magma and the
injection of a new batch of magma into an already filled magma chamber .

• As a rock inside the earth melts, it’s mass remains the same while it’s volume increases
producing a melt that is less dense than the surrounding rock.
• This lighter magma then rises toward the surface by virtue of it’s buoyancy. If the density
of the magma between the zone of it’s generation and the surface is less than that of the
surrounding and overlying rocks, the magma reached the surface and erupts.
• The third process that causes volcanic eruptions is an injection of new magma into a
chamber that is already filled with magma of similar or different composition. This
injection forces some of the magma in the chamber to move up in the condult and erupt
at the surface.

Effects of Volcanic Eruptions to man and environment

• Effects of volcanic ash to skin &eyes .

• Also transport & communication problem .
• Water supplies issues.
• Carbon dioxide and fluorine ,gases that can be toxic to humans.
• To environment, volcanic gases like sulfur dioxide can cause global cooling, a
greenhouse gas, has the potential to promote global warming.
• It may cause lost of life & property.