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- DictionaryShield vol·ca·no/SHēld välˈkānō/
noun
- 1. a broad domed volcano with gently sloping sides, characteristic of the eruption of fluid, basaltic lava.
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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….
Shield volcanoes are exactly what the nomenclature implies – very large, broad, shield-like structures that have a low aspect ratio (i.e., much wider than they are tall). These volcanoes form when a centralized vent produces low-viscosity flows over a long period of time ( Walker, 2000: 284).
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.
Feb 27, 2024 · Shield volcanoes are broad, low-profile volcanic landforms with gentle slopes that resemble a warrior’s shield or a broad low dome. They have mostly basaltic lava flow layers with minor pyroclasts. However, some are andesitic or basaltic to rhyolitic in composition.
Shield volcanoes. Where a volcano produces low viscosity, runny lava, it spreads far from the source and forms a volcano with gentle slopes: a shield volcano. Most shield volcanoes are formed from fluid, basaltic lava flows. Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa are shield volcanoes.
Shield volcanoes are common at spreading centers or intraplate hot spots.The lava that creates shield volcanoes is fluid and flows easily and creates the shield shape. Shield volcanoes are built by many layers over time and the layers are usually of very similar composition.
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.
