Volcanoes

What is a Shield Volcano?

What is a Shield Volcano?

The name “shield volcano” originated from its Roman shield-like shape. They are broad, flat and can stretch hundreds of miles wide like Mauna Loa in Hawaii.

Lahar: Flowing Mud at Volcanoes

Lahar: Flowing Mud at Volcanoes

“Lahar” is an Indonesian word for mudflow at volcanoes. Lahar flows down volcanoes as a mix of mostly water, mud and rock debris (similar to wet concrete).

How Volcanoes Form Igneous Rocks

How Volcanoes Form Igneous Rocks

Volcanoes are the foundation for igneous rocks. When volcanoes erupt, magma and lava spews out. After cooling and solidifying, they become igneous rocks.