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The name derives from a translation of "Skjaldbreiður", an Icelandic shield volcano whose name means "broad shield", from its resemblance to a warrior's shield. Shield volcanoes are formed by lava flows of low viscosity - lava that flows easily. Consequently, a volcanic mountain having a broad profile is built up over time by flow after flow of relatively fluid basaltic lava issuing from vents or fissures on the surface of the volcano. Many of the largest volcanoes on Earth are shield volcanoes. The largest in terms of area covered is Mauna Loa of Hawai'i; the tallest measured from its base under the ocean, however, is Mauna Kea of Hawai'i. All the volcanoes in the Hawaiian Islands are shield volcanoes.

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What is A type of volcano with broad and gentle slopes and built by the eruption of fluid basalt lave?

The type of volcano is the shield volcano. Shield volcanoes can be found in Hawai'i.


What shape of volcano is shield volcano?

A shield volcano is low and wide.


What types of volcanoes be found in the Hawaii islands?

An underwater volcano. The volcano that made Hawaii was a shield volcano.


What are some characteristics of the magma of a shield volcano?

Magma needs a some sort of level of silica and gas.


Is kilauea a shield volcano?

Yes....an active shield volcano.(:


Is Santorini a shield volcano?

Yes, Santorini is a shield volcano.


Is Mauna Loa volcano a shield volcano a composite volcano or a cinder cone volcano?

Mauna Loa is a shield volcano. It is one of the largest in the world and is characterized by its gentle sloping sides built up from numerous lava flows. Shield volcanoes are primarily composed of basaltic lava.


What kind of volcano is the Kilauea?

The volcano Kilauea is a Shield Volcano and is located on the Big Island of Hawaii


What type of volcano is Haleakala in Hawaii?

Haleakala in Hawaii is a shield volcano. Shield volcanoes are characterized by their gentle sloping sides and widespread lava flows, resulting from low-viscosity magma. This type of volcano typically has relatively quiet eruptions.


Is laki a shield volcano or a composite volcano?

Laki is not a shield volcano or a composite volcano. It is actually a volcanic fissure in Iceland that erupted in 1783, causing significant environmental and climatic impacts.


What is the slope for the shield volcano?

A shield volcano has very broad, gentle slopes.


Are shield volcanoes and volcanoes the same?

No, shield volcanoes are a specific type of volcano characterized by their broad, gentle slopes and low viscosity lava flows. "Volcano" is a general term that refers to any landform where volcanic activity occurs, encompassing a variety of volcano types such as shield, composite, and cinder cone volcanoes.