I anoes-Meaning

Vo C 1·s a ven t or narrow opening in .the Earth's

t onnected by a conduit to an underlymg

A volcano k fr rnagina
h bc r through w hich magma, roe
crus agments,
• lava'
e flames and other gases are ermtted frorn the
c amsteam,
ash,
interior of the Earth.
Constructive Effects of Volcan oes
Temperature mere
. hi 1°C for 32
ases at an average rate of
Extrusive Landforms metres of d ep th below the ground. k"l At t s rate, the
t
temperature a a depth of a few 1 ometres hwould be
Intrusive Forms
above th e meltin . g point of rocks. But we .ave. seen
Destructive Effects of Volcanoes . th a t hi gh pressure makes. them remam
earlier hr m the
solid state. When the pressure 1s released t ough a
Important Volcanic Zones of t he deep fissure or joint, the material changes to. a liquid
World J
state and erupts to the surface through the fissure or
pipe.
The Circum-Pacific Belt or
Ring of Fire
Volcanic eruptions may last for a few days at a time
because the materials in the deeper layers become
solid once again. Therefore, volcanic activity is of an
intermittent nature.

Types of Volcanoes
I. On the Basis of Frequency and Intensity of Eruption:
Volcanoes are classified into three major types on the
basis of the frequency of their eruptions. The thre,
types are: 1. Active volcanoes; 2. Dormant volcanoes;
3. Extinct volcanoes.

1. ACTIVE VoLCANoEs: Active volcanoes are those which

erupted lava, gases, ashes, cinder, pumice, etc., in
the recent historic periods. There are about 500
active Volcanoes in the world. Mt. St Helena (USA),
Mt. Stromboli, Mt. Etna in Italy and Mauna Loa in
Hawaii are examples of active volcanoes.
2
· DoRMANT VoicANoEs: Dormant volcanoes are those
Which erupted in the past and are likely to erupt
agam after remaining inactive for fairly long periods.
 VOt CANOES

The famou s crater G orongoro .m Tanzania is an

extinct 1
vo cano.
·
II. On the Bas1s of Types of Eruption:
.
Volcanoes rna Y b e d"tvided .
mto two major types .
1. CONIC AL VOL CANO: The most common type of
.
eruption takes place at a point on the Earth's
surfac e· Magma and other materials get
erupted thr0 ugh a narrow conduit or pipe and
get accumulated around the point of eruption.
Such accumulation of erupted materials leads
to th e formation of a conical hill.
2. SHIEL DVOLCAN o: A second type of eruption
takes place along a long narrow fissure in the
crust. Large quantities of magma are erupt ed
and these spread over a large area. The magm a
gets solidified as thick sheets of lava to form
extensive lava plateaux, e.g. Deccan Plateau,
Idaho Plateau (USA).

Con stru ctiv e Effects of Volc ano es

Fig. 7.1 A volcanic eruption The lava erupt ed from the interior of the Earth
cools down to form different landforms.
These are' sleep ing' volca noes whic h may become
active once again . Some volca noes in the West Landforms found in volcanic regions are classified
into two major types:
Indies, Phili ppine s and Japan are consi dered as
dormant volca noes like Mt. Vesu vius, stand ing 1. Extrusive forms 2. Intru sive forms.
4,000 feet abov e the Bay of Napl es.
Extrusive Landforms
[Link] VOLC ANOE S:Extin ct volca noes are those
Extrusive forms are those form ed by the
which were activ e in the remo te geological
solidification of lava on the surf ace of the land.
periods. Thes e are not likely to erup t once
again. Mt. Keny a and Mt. Kilim anjar o in The most typical extrusive landf orm found in
Africa and Mt. Acon cagu a in Sout h Amer ica, a volcanic regio n is a cone-shaped hill called a
Mt. Elburz in Euro pe are all extin ct volca noes. volcanic cone.

DEPENDING ON HOW THEY WERE FORMED

VOLCANOES COME IN DIFFERENT SHAPES AND SIZES,

Composite volcanoes are tall and

teep whereas shield volcanoes a
wide and low.
~

'
.

\ :;.
"----.
..
" ··.
'
'I '.

'·'· '
'
"'.t.~ .
.
·_ • · · , _ - · · -

A cinder cone is usually small and steep

and made of hardened ash, cinders and
A shield volcano forms when thin, runny lava
oozes out and spreads widely over a long
time.
A composite volcano has many
layers formed from thick lava, built small lava lumps.
up during successive eruptions.
Fig. 7.2 Types of Volcanoes
 VOLCANOES

and solidifies in the vent, forming a pl ug

When a volcano erupts explosively, a porti~n of t~e .
through which it may erupt again.
summit gets blown up to form a depression. This
During an explosion, the lava consisting
is called a crater. . 1 . . Of
molten rocks and rrunera s 1s sometimes ejecteq
The volcanic cone is classified into various types with great force, e.g. Mt. Pelee on the Island
based on the type of materials forming the cone.
Martinique (West Indies) in May 1992 was tt
Volcanic cones are called cinder cones when t~e most catastrophic of modem times. St Pierree
material erupted consists of cinder and 0ther sohd the capital, was completely destroyed. '
particles. Cinder cones have steep slopes be_cause
Acid lava is viscous and it does not flow
they consist of particles of large size. Volcanic as_h
rapidly. It solidifies near the vent to forrn
and dust settle down on the margins of the volcanic
steep dome-shaped hill. This is called a volcani:
cone. These have a gentler slope. Usually cinder
dome. Solidification of magma within the pipe
and ash cones are formed when only gas erupts
may lead to the formation of a vertical plug or ·
with great force and there is no lava flow.
spine. This may get exposed later as a result of
Most volcanoes start as cinder cones and grow into denudation of rocks.
large volcanic hills with alternating layers of lava
and ash. Such cones are called composite cones. 2. BASIC LAVA (LAVA .smaos) is ~e hottest lavas
Composite cones are formed due to an explosive at about 1000°C an9 is. highly fluid. It is dark
eruption followed by eruption of lava. coloured like basalt, rich in iron and magnesium
· but poor, in silica. As it is pours out of the
volcano, it is not very explosive and flows quietly
and readily at about 10 to 20 km per hour.
When the lava is basic in composition, it flows
,----Ash
readily down the slope of the land and gets
"-~,._,___ _ Lava solidified away from the vent. In such cases,
the volcanic cone assumes a broad summit with
gentle slopes around it. These are called lava
shields and shield volcanoes as the shape of the
volcano resembles a shield lying on the ground.
Fig. 7.3 Composite Cones CALDERA: In some volcanoes, the summit of the
In some composite cones, where the main vent volcano blows up during a violent explosion
has grown too high, a parasite or branch cone resulting in the formation of a large depression
develops on the slopes of the volcano. Most of the called a caldera. Some calderas may have been
large volcanoes are composite cones. formed by the collapse of the summit portion.
Calderas are occupied by large lakes. In the
On the Basis of Composition of Lava
state of Oregon in the United States, there is a
Some volcanoes erupt lava · quietly without any caldera which is about 9 km in diameter.
explosion. They build up lava cones.
The lake in the caldera is called the crater lake.
In this case, the form of the cone depends on the Lake Nukuru in Kenya is a crater lake, the
nature of lava. sulphur of which attracts flamingoes to make
1. Acm LAVA (VoLCANIC DoME): Acid lava is highly it their resting and nesting place.
viscous and can flow over a short distance. It is 3. F1ssuRE ERUYTIONS: In places where fissure
rich in silica but poor in iron and magnesium. eruptions have taken place, the landforms
When the volcano erupts with a great explosion, produced are different from those of the ·central
this type of lava forms high, steep-sided cones type of eruptions. Magma erupts quietly
 VOLCANOES
t}U'Ough narrow fissures or cracks several
Idloilletres in length. Magma spreads on the 3. BATHOLITHs· Th
· ese are gigantic intrusions of
surface and cools down as a sheet of lava coarse gr · d . 1~
1 ame igneous mass formed when a
ering the surface of the land. Eruptions _:tuge reservoir of magma cools and solidifies
cov d th il' at
intervals lea to e P_ mg up of lava sheets ml an irregular shape. They form the core of
0 d mount ·
0 ne O
ver the other. fornung a series of steps • The . . ams. They are dome shaped with no
oeccan trap region ~f Peninsular India has definite floor. Small-sized batholiths are called
st0
veral lava sheets havmg a maximum thickness cks or bosses. A number of low hills to the
south of Ch • .
s; about 2,000 m. This region forms a lava . ennai are considered a part of a
1
;Iateau. Columbia pl~teau of Western United arg~ ba th0lith mainly composed of diorite and
granite.
States and the Antnm Plateau in Northern
IrelanQ are other examples of lava plateaux. sometimes batholiths rise above the sea as
isolated islands, e.g. Hawaii and Tahiti.
intrusive Forms
Following are some more constructive effects of
1ntr0sive forms are those which are formed by the volcanoes.
solidification of lava on the surface of the Earth.
• Volcanic eruptions deposit lava and ash, which
When magma cools down below the ground, the
break down to provide valuable nutrients for
resulting intrusions take the forms of the crevices the soil. The soil thus formed is fertile and good
and fissures in the rocks below the ground. These for agriculture.
intrUsive forms may appear on the surface in
course of time due to denudation of rocks lying • Volcanic activity gives rise to igneous rocks
above them. Some of the common intrusive forms such as granite, feldspar, etc.
have been shown below: • Volcanoes attract tourists, thereby boosting the
economy of an area. Mt Vesuvius and Mt Etna
Laccolith Volcano
in Italy are major tourist attractions.
Lava flow
• Volcanic eruptions release heat, using which
geothermal energy can be generated.

Destructive Effects of Volcanoes

Volcanoes bring about positive changes in the
environment, while causing destruction. Let us
now look at some of the destructive effects of
t t t t volcanoes.
Fig. 7.4 Common Intrusive Landforms • Volcanic eruptions are a hazard to life and
property.
1. DYKES: Dykes are intrusions of magma/lava
of vertical form. They are usually narrow but • Volcanic eruptions release gases and smoke
may extend several [Link] length. Dykes which cause air pollution and can adversely
are generally more resistant, being of igneous affect the ozone layer.
origin, than the adjoining rocks and they form • The ash and dust released by volcanoes can
long narrow ridges. Such dyke ridges are found disrupt air traffic. Eyjafjallajokull, an active
in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. volcano located in the Southern Iceland, erupted
2. S1us: These are intrusions of magma/lava of on 14 April 2010. It sent large amount of ash
horizontal shape which get solidified between and dust into the air which spread over a large
layers of horizontal sedimentary rocks. They area and disrupted the air and sea traffic across
form terraces or benches on hill slopes. the North Atlantic Ocean.
VOLCANOES
Some of the famous volcano_e~ in this belt a
·x with borazo and Cotopaxi m the Ande te
rain water or melting snow nu . th e Chim . s, M
• When h d mud from a volcanic eruption, F J'iyama in Japan, Mt. Mayon m the Philip . t.
the as an 11 d lahars are created. Lahars u t Krakatoa m. In d onesia. . esti Pines
. It 1s
mudflows ca e and M · . lttatQ
move at a very fast pace. that there are about 40 active volcanoes in d
Andes, 35 ~ Japan, 100 in the Philippines anctt~~
Important Volcanic Zones of ~~e Wo~ld in Indonesia.
'dences of volcanic activity durmg
There are evi h' f the Mid-World Mountain Belt
.od of geological istory o
:e t~o~te;:r~re thousands of extinct volcanoes This belt of young fold mountains has fewer acti
b:~h ~n the continents and the ocean floors . At volcanoes than the Circum-Pacific Belt. This bve
resent there are about 500 active volcanoes on coincides with . Hima1ayclI} mount .elt
· the Alpine-
_>--._ A ains
Ph f e of the Earth · These are found, mostly
t e sur ac which extend through Europe and Asia. This belt
in the unstable portions of the Earth s crust bends southwards through the. Andaman and
(Fig. 7.5). These are mainly belts of young fold Nicobar Islands and merges with the Circurn-
mountains. Pacific Belt in Indonesia.
The Circum-Pacific Belt or Ring of Fire Mt. Vesuvius, Mt. Stromboli and Mt. Etna in Italy
This belt contains nearly 80% of the total number are examples of volcanoes in this belt. There are no
of active volcanoes. This is called the Pacific Ring active volcanoes in the Himalayan ranges.
of Fire because the active volcanoes occur along Volcanoes occur in some of the islands such as
the margins of the Pacific Ocean. Iceland, Cape Verde and Canary Islands in the
This belt includes the Andes mountains of South Atlantic Ocean.
America, and the Rockies of North America. Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Kenya are volcanoes
The Rocky mountains are continued by the Aleutian along the margin of the African Rift Valley. The
islands to the continents of Asia. There are a series of Hawaiian islands are volcanic islands in the Pacific
island arcs or festoons along the east coast of Asia. ocean, ·where there are many isolated volcanic
This includes the Kurile islands, Japanese islands, islands. ·
Taiwan, Philippines and Indonesian islands. New
Zealand also has many volcanoes.

•
Mauna Loa

Volcano .

Volcanic region
Patagonian Pl.
Lava Plateau

Map not io scale

Fig. 7.5 World distribution of Volcanoes and Lava Plat~a:s

I
VOLCANOES

--- I AnsW
LV . ,
. briefly·.
er the following questions
· ~ What are volcanoes_? ;Nhat are the differ tty
en pes of vol .
2. Name two different types of volcanic eruptions canic eruptions?
W What are composite cones? .
rj) How is a crater formed?

5_ How are lav~ plat~aus formed? Give an example.

.
three intrusive landforms in a volcan·1c region.
6. Name .
7 _ Enlist some of the destructive effects of volcanoes.
8_ Indicate the world distribution of active volcanoes.
~ Why is the Circum-Pacific Belt known as the 'P 'fi .
l:) aci c Ring of Fire'?
(.'\Define the following:
V 1. Caldera 2. Crater
3 • Dormant Volcano 4. Extinct Volcano
~ istinguish between the following:
v 1. Dormant Volcano and Extinct Volcano
2. Crater and Caldera
3. Acid Lava and Basic Lava
4. Volcanic Cone and Volcanic Plateau
5. Dykes and Sills

IV. Indicate the correct answer by writing the appropriate letter in the blanks:
1. Which one of the following is an extinct volcano?
(a) Krakatoa (b) Pelee (c) F-"!}i~ (d) Vesuvius Al\~ .~'\f, ~~• '
2. Which one of the following is an extrusive landform?
~a) crater (b) dyke (c) laccolith (d) batholith
3. The Circum-Pacific Belt contains about ................................. % of active volcanoes in the world.
(a) 50 (b) 60 (c) 70 µ) 80

·Acfl~viflies }
1 Dra~ a diagram to show a crater, a sill, a dyke and a conduit.
2 Draw a labelled self-explanatory diagram of a volcano. . .
3:Draw a section diagram of a volcano illustrating the following parts: crater, sill, dyke, magma, parasite or subs

crater, conduit.
4. Label the various parts of the given diagrams:

' .