Volcanism: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 14:18, 21 February 2025

Volcanism[edit]

Volcanism is the phenomenon of eruption of molten rock (magma) onto the surface of the Earth or a solid-surface planet or moon, where lava, pyroclastics, and volcanic gases erupt through a break in the surface called a volcano.

Types of Volcanism[edit]

Volcanism can be classified into several types based on the nature of the eruptions and the types of volcanic structures formed.

Effusive Volcanism[edit]

Effusive volcanism is characterized by the outpouring of lava onto the ground. This type of volcanism typically forms shield volcanoes, which are broad, gently sloping landforms built by the accumulation of low-viscosity lava flows.

Explosive Volcanism[edit]

Explosive volcanism occurs when magma is violently fragmented and rapidly expelled from a volcano. This type of volcanism is associated with stratovolcanoes and can produce significant amounts of volcanic ash and pyroclastic flows.

Submarine Volcanism[edit]

Submarine volcanism occurs beneath the ocean and is responsible for the formation of new oceanic crust at mid-ocean ridges. It can also occur at seamounts and oceanic islands.

Mud Volcanism[edit]

Mud volcanism involves the eruption of mud, water, and gases, often in areas of tectonic activity. These eruptions are not driven by magma but by the expulsion of fluids and gases from the Earth's crust.

Volcanism on Other Planets[edit]

Volcanism is not limited to Earth and can be found on other planets and moons in our solar system.

Volcanism on Mars[edit]

Mars hosts the largest volcano in the solar system, Olympus Mons, which is a shield volcano.

Volcanism on Enceladus[edit]

Enceladus, a moon of Saturn, exhibits cryovolcanism, where water and other volatiles are expelled from the surface.

Recent Volcanic Events[edit]

Volcanic activity continues to shape the Earth's surface and impact human activity.

2022 Tonga Eruption[edit]

The 2022 eruption of the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai volcano was a significant explosive event that had widespread atmospheric effects.

Related Pages[edit]

Template:Volcanism

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Short description|A comprehensive overview of volcanism, its processes, and effects}}
+== Volcanism ==
-==Volcanism==
+[[File:Magmatism_and_volcanism_EN.svg|thumb|right|Diagram illustrating the process of volcanism.]]
-[[File:Volcano_eruption.jpg|thumb|right|A volcanic eruption spewing ash and lava.]]
-Volcanism refers to the geological processes that involve the movement of magma from the interior of the Earth to its surface, resulting in volcanic eruptions. These eruptions can produce a variety of volcanic landforms, such as [[volcanoes]], [[lava]] plateaus, and volcanic islands. Volcanism is a key component of the Earth's [[geological activity]] and plays a significant role in shaping the planet's surface.
-==Types of Volcanic Eruptions==
+'''Volcanism''' is the phenomenon of eruption of molten rock (magma) onto the surface of the Earth or a solid-surface planet or moon, where lava, pyroclastics, and volcanic gases erupt through a break in the surface called a [[volcano]].
-Volcanic eruptions can vary greatly in size, duration, and explosiveness. The main types of volcanic eruptions include:
-* '''Effusive Eruptions''': These eruptions are characterized by the outpouring of low-viscosity lava that flows easily across the surface. Effusive eruptions typically form [[shield volcanoes]], such as those found in [[Hawaii]].
+== Types of Volcanism ==
-* '''Explosive Eruptions''': These eruptions occur when high-viscosity magma traps gases, leading to a buildup of pressure that is released violently. Explosive eruptions can produce [[pyroclastic flows]], ash clouds, and [[stratovolcanoes]].
+Volcanism can be classified into several types based on the nature of the eruptions and the types of volcanic structures formed.
-* '''Phreatomagmatic Eruptions''': These eruptions result from the interaction between magma and water, leading to explosive steam-driven eruptions. They often occur in volcanic islands and coastal regions.
+=== Effusive Volcanism ===
+Effusive volcanism is characterized by the outpouring of lava onto the ground. This type of volcanism typically forms [[shield volcanoes]], which are broad, gently sloping landforms built by the accumulation of low-viscosity lava flows.
-==Volcanic Landforms==
+[[File:Kilauea_Fissure_8_cone_erupting_on_6-28-2018.jpg|thumb|left|Effusive eruption at Kilauea, Hawaii.]]
-[[File:Stratovolcano.jpg|thumb|left|A stratovolcano with a snow-capped peak.]]
-Volcanism creates a variety of landforms, each with distinct characteristics:
-* '''Shield Volcanoes''': These are broad, gently sloping volcanoes formed by the accumulation of fluid lava flows. They are typically found in oceanic settings.
+=== Explosive Volcanism ===
+Explosive volcanism occurs when magma is violently fragmented and rapidly expelled from a volcano. This type of volcanism is associated with [[stratovolcanoes]] and can produce significant amounts of volcanic ash and pyroclastic flows.
-* '''Stratovolcanoes''': Also known as composite volcanoes, these are steep-sided, symmetrical cones built from alternating layers of lava flows, ash, and other volcanic debris.
+[[File:Erupsi_Gunung_Sinabung.jpg|thumb|right|Explosive eruption of Mount Sinabung, Indonesia.]]
-* '''Cinder Cones''': These are small, steep-sided volcanoes formed from the accumulation of volcanic debris, such as ash and cinders, around a central vent.
+=== Submarine Volcanism ===
+Submarine volcanism occurs beneath the ocean and is responsible for the formation of new oceanic crust at [[mid-ocean ridges]]. It can also occur at [[seamounts]] and [[oceanic islands]].
-* '''Calderas''': Large, basin-like depressions formed when a volcano collapses into itself, often following a massive eruption.
+=== Mud Volcanism ===
+Mud volcanism involves the eruption of mud, water, and gases, often in areas of tectonic activity. These eruptions are not driven by magma but by the expulsion of fluids and gases from the Earth's crust.
-==Volcanic Hazards==
+[[File:Gryphons_at_the_central_crater_of_the_Dashgil_mud_volcano_in_Azerbaijan_(130).JPG|thumb|left|Mud volcano in Azerbaijan.]]
-Volcanic eruptions pose several hazards to human life and the environment, including:
-* '''Lava Flows''': While generally slow-moving, lava flows can destroy everything in their path.
+== Volcanism on Other Planets ==
-* '''Ash Falls''': Volcanic ash can cover large areas, disrupting air travel, damaging machinery, and posing health risks.
+Volcanism is not limited to Earth and can be found on other planets and moons in our solar system.
-* '''Pyroclastic Flows''': These fast-moving currents of hot gas and volcanic matter can devastate areas close to the volcano.
+=== Volcanism on Mars ===
+Mars hosts the largest volcano in the solar system, [[Olympus Mons]], which is a shield volcano.
-* '''Lahars''': Volcanic mudflows that can occur when volcanic debris mixes with water, often following heavy rainfall.
+[[File:Olympus_Mons.jpeg|thumb|right|Olympus Mons on Mars.]]
-==Volcanism and Plate Tectonics==
+=== Volcanism on Enceladus ===
-Volcanism is closely linked to [[plate tectonics]], the theory that describes the movement of the Earth's lithospheric plates. Most volcanic activity occurs at plate boundaries:
+[[Enceladus]], a moon of Saturn, exhibits cryovolcanism, where water and other volatiles are expelled from the surface.
-* '''Divergent Boundaries''': At mid-ocean ridges, plates move apart, allowing magma to rise and create new oceanic crust.
+[[File:PIA19059-SaturnMoon-Enceladus-OceanMethane-20150311.png|thumb|left|Cryovolcanism on Enceladus.]]
-* '''Convergent Boundaries''': At subduction zones, one plate is forced beneath another, leading to the melting of mantle material and the formation of volcanic arcs.
+== Recent Volcanic Events ==
-* '''Hotspots''': Volcanism can also occur away from plate boundaries at hotspots, where plumes of hot mantle material rise to the surface, as seen in the Hawaiian Islands.
+Volcanic activity continues to shape the Earth's surface and impact human activity.
-==Related pages==
+=== 2022 Tonga Eruption ===
+The 2022 eruption of the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai volcano was a significant explosive event that had widespread atmospheric effects.
+[[File:Tonga_Volcano_Eruption_2022-01-15_0320Z_to_0610Z_Himawari-8_visible.gif|thumb|right|Eruption of the Tonga volcano in 2022.]]
+== Related Pages ==
 * [[Volcano]]
 * [[Lava]]
-* [[Plate tectonics]]
+* [[Pyroclastic flow]]
-* [[Earthquake]]
+* [[Tectonic plate]]
-* [[Geothermal energy]]
+* [[Ring of Fire]]
+{{Volcanism}}
 [[Category:Volcanology]]
 [[Category:Geological processes]]