Discover published sets by community

A volcanic plug is a volcanic feature created when magma hardens within the vent of an active volcano. Over time, erosion removes the surrounding rock but leaves the hard plug exposed.

Fissure vents are cracks or elongated openings in the earth's crust through which lava erupts, usually without any explosive activity. Fissure eruptions can create extensive lava plateaus and are often associated with shield volcanoes.

A caldera is a large, depression often formed from the collapse of a volcano after a major eruption. When a magma chamber is emptied, the support for the ground above is lost, leading to a collapse. Famous calderas include Yellowstone and Crater Lake.

Lava domes are formed by the slow extrusion of viscous lava from a volcano. These domes can be explosive if the lava is andesitic or rhyolitic because these compositions can trap gasses. They grow over time and may form within the crater of larger volcanoes.

Also known as composite volcanoes, stratovolcanoes are characterized by a conical shape and steep profile. They are built from multiple layers of hardened lava, tephra, pumice, and volcanic ash. These volcanoes form at convergent plate boundaries and have periodic explosive eruptions.

A shield volcano is a gently sloping volcano that resembles a warrior's shield. They are formed by the eruption of low-viscosity lava that can flow long distances. Most shield volcanoes originate from hot spots in the Earth's mantle.