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This site is appropriate for grades 6 and above

A volcano is a mountain that has formed from lava.


A volcano has many parts and there are many
different kinds of volcanoes. You will learn the major
parts of a volcano and also the three different types
of volcanoes.

Parts of a Volcano


Image from:
http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/vw_hyperexchange/parts.html

A crack in the crust of the Earth is called a
fissure. In this fissure a conduit forms which is
a pipe that magma travels through to reach the
Earths surface. The conduit ends at an opening
called a vent.
A vent is an opening where the lava flows.
A crater is a "bowl shaped indent where the
vent is located.
The magma chamber or reservoir is the place
where the magma is stored. The conduit is
attached to the chamber and the magma flows
up the conduit.
A flank is a side of a volcano or mountain.
The summit is the highest part of the volcano.
The ash cloud is a cloud that is formed from ash
which is powdered rock and also lava.
Lava is magma that has reached the Earths
surface.

These are the major parts of a volcano. There are
three different types of volcanoes that we will learn
about next.

Types of Volcanoes

Shield Volcano

The first kind of volcano we will learn about it is the
shield volcano. The shield volcano is very tall and
wide. They are the largest volcanoes on Earth.

Image from:
http://www.geology.sdsu.edu/how_volcanoes_work/Thumblinks/Maunaloa_p
age.html

This is a picture of Mauna Loa in Hawaii, which is the
largest volcano on Earth. Hawaii was made from 5
shield volcanoes.

Cinder Cone

The second kind of volcano is called a cinder cone.
Cinder cones are very steep and tall with very large
craters.











Image from:
http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/Products/Pglossary/CinderCone.html

This is a picture of Pu`u ka Pele which is on the side
of the Mauna Kea Volcano in Hawaii. Many cinder
cones are found on the sides of shield volcanoes.

Composite Cone

The third kind of volcano that you will learn about is
the composite cone (also called a stratovolcano).
This volcano is shaped like a cone with steep sides.


Image from: http://www.mrsmcelwee.com/volcano/composite.html

This picture is of Mt. Saint Helens in Washington,
which erupted in 1980.



References

Earth Science 10
th
ed. Tarbuck and Lutgens. 2003.

USGS.gov




Additional Resources on Volcanoes


How to build model volcanoes:
http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/volc_models/models.
html

Volcano Information:
http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/

Volcano Virtual Trip:
http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/kids/vrtrips.html

Volcano Field Trip:
http://www.tramline.com/sci/volcano/index.htm




Made by: Jennifer Schingeck
jschinge@nmu.edu
Last update: December 1, 2004

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