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Volcano Vocab
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Characteristics of a Shield Volcano | Flatter to the ground with a gradual slope. Formed by thick lava flows that move slowly and are not explosive. |
| Plate Tectonics | The theory that Earth's outer crust is divided into several plates |
| Characteristics of a Composite Volcano | Large symmetrical cones built by alternating layers of lava flows and volcanic ash,that can create explosive eruptions. |
| Characteristics of a Cinder Cone Volcano | Small cones-shaped volcanoes with steep angled sides. Blobs of lava spew into the air during eruptions and fall on the sides of the volcano. Built over a short period of time. |
| Lava Dome Volcano | Lava is too thick to flow a great distance. Lava cools and piles up around the vent. |
| Secondary Vent | Magma can reach the surface in other areas. |
| Magma | Molten rock under the earth's surface. |
| Lava | Molten rock above earth's surface. |
| Ring of Fire | An active volcanic region where many eruptions and earthquakes take place in the pacific ocean. |
| Hot Spot | Magma rises to the crust and breaks through which usually happens in the middle of a tectonic plate. |
| Magma Chamber | Large underground pool of molten rock sitting underneath the earth's crust. |
| Main Vent | The weak point in the Earth's crust where hot magma rises from the magma chamber and reaches the surface. |
| Crater | Circular basin or depression. |
| Pyroclastic Flow | Fast-moving current of hot gas and rock that moves away from a volcano |
| Caldera | A large basin-like depression resulting from the explosion or collapse of the center of a volcano. |
| Volcanic Neck | Where the volcano reaches its peak. |
| Igneous Intrusion | When lava cools and hardens below the surface. |
| Subduction Zone | When crust moves under or over each other. |
| Volcanic Ash | Small pieces of pulverized rock, minerals, and volcanic glass created during eruption. |
| Volcanic Bomb | Large projectiles thrown through the air. |
| Dormant Volcano | Quiet now but might erupt again |
| Extinct Volcano | Unlikely to erupt again but still could |
| Dike | Vertical Intrusions |
| Sill | Horizontal Intrusions |