Consider the following statements: 1. These volcanoes are characteris...
Composite volcanoes best describe the given characteristics.
Composite volcanoes, also known as stratovolcanoes, are tall, cone-shaped mountains that form from the accumulation of alternating layers of lava flows and pyroclastic materials such as ash, pumice, and volcanic gases. They are typically found at subduction zones where an oceanic plate is being subducted beneath a continental plate.
1. Cooler and more viscous lavas: Composite volcanoes are characterized by eruptions of cooler and more viscous lavas than basalt. This is because the magma that forms these volcanoes is rich in silica, which increases its viscosity. As a result, the lava flows are slower-moving and can solidify before traveling far from the vent. This leads to the formation of steep-sided cones.
2. Explosive eruptions: Composite volcanoes often result in explosive eruptions. This is due to the high viscosity of the magma, which traps gases within the magma chamber. As pressure builds up, the gases can cause violent eruptions, ejecting large amounts of ash, pyroclastic material, and volcanic bombs into the atmosphere. These explosive eruptions can be highly dangerous and have the potential to cause widespread damage.
3. Pyroclastic material and ashes: Along with lava, composite volcanoes produce large quantities of pyroclastic material and ashes. During explosive eruptions, the magma is fragmented into small pieces, creating a mixture of volcanic ash, pumice, and other pyroclastic materials. These materials can be carried by the eruption column and eventually fall back to the ground, forming layers of volcanic debris around the volcano.
Overall, the combination of cooler and more viscous lavas, explosive eruptions, and the deposition of pyroclastic material and ashes are characteristic features of composite volcanoes. Examples of composite volcanoes include Mount Fuji in Japan, Mount St. Helens in the United States, and Mount Vesuvius in Italy.
Consider the following statements: 1. These volcanoes are characteris...
- Composite volcanoes are characterised by eruptions of cooler and more viscous lavas than basalt. These volcanoes often result in explosive eruptions.
- Along with lava, large quantities of pyroclastic material and ashes find their way to the ground. This material accumulates in the vicinity of the vent openings leading to the formation of layers, and this makes the mounts appear as composite volcanoes.
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