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A shield volcano is a type of volcano named for its low profile, resembling a shield lying on the ground. It is formed by the eruption of highly fluid (low viscosity) lava, which travels farther and forms thinner flows than the more viscous lava erupted from a stratovolcano.
Although shield volcanoes are the largest volcanoes on Earth, they do not form soaring mountains with conical peaks like composite volcanoes. Instead, they are broad volcanoes with gentle slopes and are shaped somewhat like a warrior’s shield lying flat on the Earth.
A shield volcano is a broad volcano with sloping sides that is formed mainly out of runny lava that flows out of its central summit vent. Examples of Shield Volcano: Mauna Loa in the Island of Hawaii, Wolf volcano in Galapagos Islands and Nyamuragira in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The shield volcano is an active volcano with a caldera that tends to erupt basalt lava. The name “shield volcano” originated from its Roman shield-like shape and is often broad and flatter than the other types of volcanoes.
In volcano: Shield volcanoes. Structures of this type are large dome-shaped mountains built of lava flows. Their name derives from their similarity in shape to a warrior’s shield lying face up. Shield volcanoes are usually composed of basalt. Small shield volcanoes may form rapidly from almost continuous… Read More; size and shape
Jul 13, 2024 · Here are ten more examples of shield volcanoes world-wide: Mauna Loa (Hawaii, USA): One of the largest shield volcanoes on Earth, Mauna Loa rises over 4,170 meters above sea level and covers an area of approximately 5,271 square kilometers. Kīlauea (Hawaii, USA): Kilauea is known for its persistent activity.
Shield volcanoes are the largest volcanoes on Earth that actually look like volcanoes (i.e. not counting flood basalt flows). The Hawaiian shield volcanoes are the most famous examples. Shield volcanoes are almost exclusively basalt, a type of lava that is very fluid when erupted.
Shield volcanoes have the following characteristics: basic lava, which is non-acidic and very runny. gentle sides as the lava flows for long distances before it solidifies. no layers, as the...
Shield volcanoes are broad, low-profile features with basal diameters that vary from a few kilometers to over 100 kilometers (e.g., the Mauna Loa volcano , Hawaii). Their heights are typically about 1/20th of their widths.
Jan 1, 2016 · A shield volcano is a low-angle volcano formed principally by accumulation of low viscosity lava flows (mostly basaltic lavas). The name “shield” derives from “Skjalbreidhur” (broad shield) volcano in Iceland, which displays a warrior’s shield-like profile.
