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How are volcanos created?

Updated: 9/14/2023
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9y ago

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Volcanoes are formed usually near plate boundaries, most commonly divergent/constructive plate boundaries, such as the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Here the crust is moving apart and causing melting due to a decrease in pressure. The magma rises, filling the cracks in the crust and forms fissure volcanoes and sea mounts, which are submarine volcanoes.

Volcanoes also form at convergent/destructive boundaries, like the the rim of the Pacific Ocean known as the Ring of Fire, which contains about 68% of Earth's subaerial volcanoes. A volcano here is formed when a denser, colder oceanic plate, subducts under another plate, either a continental or warmer oceanic plate. The subducted plate will melt under the high temperatures in the mantle. This will form magma, which will in turn form cracks in the plates, which allows the magma to flow out from the mantle into the crust and sometime onto Earth's surface. The lava (when magma reaches the surface it is called lava) will then harden and form layers, slowly forming a volcano.

A shield volcano is formed when there is mafic lava, which has a low silica content, making it less viscous and in turn means it flows quickly over a large area before it cools and hardens; whereas a felsic-lava or composite volcano is formed when there is felsic lava, with a high silica content which in turn increases it's viscosity which means it flows slowly over a small area before it hardens.

Another reason for the formation of volcanoes is the mantle plume theory. A mantle plume is situated beneath the plate, which means it does not move as the plate moves. It is magma source, and magma spews out of it onto Earth's surface to form volcanoes. However, the volcano is situated above the plate, so the volcano moves along with the plate. Since the mantle plume does not move, the volcano becomes extinct as it is cut off from its magma source. A new volcano then forms on top of the hot spot and the cycle continues. Some examples are the Hawaii chain islands and Yellowstone.

Volcanoes are mainly formed along the edge of plates, and most often occur at mid ocean ridges.
Then I will do my best to answer your question: Volcanoes are mostly millions of years old. They are formed by magma, molten rock, being ejected from deep inside the Earth onto the exterior surface of the volcano forming a cone, which may either be steep or not so depending on the viscosity of the magma extruded. A good example for you to research would be the Island of Surtsey, it's just about 45 years old.......

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Dahlia O'Reilly

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1y ago
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10y ago

Volcanoes are formed usually near plate boundaries, most commonly divergent/constructive plate boundaries, such as the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Here the crust is moving apart and causing melting due to a decrease in pressure. The magma rises, filling the cracks in the crust and forms fissure volcanoes and sea mounts, which are submarine volcanoes.

Volcanoes also form at convergent/destructive boundaries, like the the rim of the Pacific Ocean known as the Ring of Fire, which contains about 68% of Earth's subaerial volcanoes. A volcano here is formed when a denser, colder oceanic plate, subducts under another plate, either a continental or warmer oceanic plate. The subducted plate will melt under the high temperatures in the mantle. This will form magma, which will in turn form cracks in the plates, which allows the magma to flow out from the mantle into the crust and sometime onto Earth's surface. The lava (when magma reaches the surface it is called lava) will then harden and form layers, slowly forming a volcano.

A shield volcano is formed when there is mafic lava, which has a low silica content, making it less viscous and in turn means it flows quickly over a large area before it cools and hardens; whereas a felsic-lava or composite volcano is formed when there is felsic lava, with a high silica content which in turn increases it's viscosity which means it flows slowly over a small area before it hardens.

Another reason for the formation of volcanoes is the mantle plume theory. A mantle plume is situated beneath the plate, which means it does not move as the plate moves. It is magma source, and magma spews out of it onto Earth's surface to form volcanoes. However, the volcano is situated above the plate, so the volcano moves along with the plate. Since the mantle plume does not move, the volcano becomes extinct as it is cut off from its magma source. A new volcano then forms on top of the hot spot and the cycle continues. Some examples are the Hawaii chain islands and Yellowstone.

Volcanoes are mainly formed along the edge of plates, and most often occur at mid ocean ridges.
Then I will do my best to answer your question: Volcanoes are mostly millions of years old. They are formed by magma, molten rock, being ejected from deep inside the Earth onto the exterior surface of the volcano forming a cone, which may either be steep or not so depending on the viscosity of the magma extruded. A good example for you to research would be the Island of Surtsey, it's just about 45 years old.......

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Related questions

Are parasitic cone cinder cone the same?

Parasitic cone volcanos and cinder cone volcanos are not the same when classifying. Cinder cone volcanos are the most popular type of volcano, named for its cone shaped formation. Cinder cone volcano are also considered the smallest type of volcanos and can stand alone or grow on the flanks of other volcanos. The parasitic cone volcanos are similar to the cinder cones, however, the volcano is found on the flanks of other volcanos, hence, the name. It is created by flank eruptions of larger volcanos.


What determines how different types of volcanos are created?

The formation and composition of the magma, and the local subterranean geology.


What created the Hawaiian islands millions of years ago?

The eruption of volcanos. Incidentally, that is still going on today.


What actors and actresses appeared in Erupting Volcanos - 1990?

The cast of Erupting Volcanos - 1990 includes: Twin Volcanos


Where in Asia are active volcanos found?

Where in asia volcanos found


Why do volcanos cause more deaths then earthquakes?

Volcanos burn


How do you classify volcanic rocks?

There are three types of volcanos, shield, cinder, and composite volcanos. Cinder volcanos are the smallest, while shield volcanos are the largest. Composite volcanos are the most dangerous and the most explosive.


Do volcanos erupt in the grand canyon?

There are no active volcanos in the Grand Canyon


What is vulcanologist?

Volcanologist* -- Volcano = Volcanos Ology= Study of -- It is the study of volcanos


Are crystals sometimes made by volcanoes.?

they aren't made BY volcanos but they are made in the volcanos


What is a country with volcanos?

Japan is a country with volcanos and has over 100 active ones.


What is the plural of volcanos?

The plural form of volcano may be spelled, volcanos or volcanoes.The -es version, as with the plural, tornadoes, is more widely used.