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Dynamic Earth
Volcano Lab - Google EarthTm
Name: ___________________
Goal: To be able to describe and identify the common volcano types, and relate volcano types with associated
volcanic hazards, tectonic setting, and geographic location.
Volcano shape is strongly controlled by eruptive style, which in turn is controlled by magma composition and tectonic
setting. This lab is intended to give you the opportunity to examine volcanoes from around the globe, and to interpret
the tectonic settings in which they form. To learn more about volcanoes, check out the following websites: the
Smithsonian
Institution
Global
Volcanism
Program:
http://volcano.si.edu/,
Volcano
World:
http://volcano.oregonstate.edu/; USGS Volcanic Hazards Program http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/.
Volcanoes!
1. Navigate to Chile, in South America (you can go directly there by typing in the coordinates in the search bar at
the upper left side of the screen -33.25, -70.35). Center the image so that the capital, Santiago, is in your screen at
an eye altitude of ~1000 km (the names of the capitols will appear as you zoom in). Make sure that north is at the
top of the image.
2. Tilt the image so that you can look northward along the South American coast. Briefly describe the major tectonic
features (landforms) that you see.
3. Now navigate to Descabeza (you can go directly there by typing in the coordinates in the search bar at the upper
left side of the screen -35.58, -70.75).
a) Describe the size and shape of the volcano by filling in the spaces, below:
Maximum height (elevation) of the volcano above sealevel: ___________________________ meters.
Base elevation of the volcano: _____________________________ meters.
Relief (maximum elevation – base elevation) = _____________________meters total height.
Base width: _____________________ meters. Average slope of volcano ((relief ÷ ½width)*100%):_______
b) Sketch and describe the overall shape of Descabeza.
c) Describe the likely composition (mafic, intermediate, felsic) of this volcano, based on your observations.
Explain your answer.
d) Describe the major geologic hazards associated with this volcano. What do the deposits look like for each
hazard, and what specific areas of the landscape are most impacted by each hazard?
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e) Zoom out and examine the region. Describe the likely tectonic setting of the volcanoes of the Andes mountains
(crust types and relative motion). Hint: is there a deep ocean trench to the west of the mountains?
f) After the lecture on volcanoes, speculate on the volcano type, based on size, shape, and composition.
4. Navigate to Mt. St. Helens (46.1958, - 122.1821) in southern Washington, USA.
a) Maximum height (elevation) of the volcano above sea level: ___________________________ meters.
Base elevation of the volcano: _____________________________ meters.
Relief (maximum – base elevation) = _____________________meters total height.
Base width: _____________________ meters. Average slope of volcano ((relief ÷ ½width)*100%):_____
b) Sketch and describe the overall shape of Mt. St. Helens:
c) Describe the likely composition of this volcano, based on your observations. Explain your answer.
d) Describe the major geologic hazards associated with this volcano. What do the deposits look like for each
hazard, and what specific areas of the landscape are most impacted by each hazard?
e) Zoom out and examine the region. Are there any other volcanoes nearby? Describe the likely tectonic setting of
the volcanoes of the Cascade Range. Support your answer with observations on the major tectonic landforms of
the region.
f) After the lecture on volcanoes, speculate on the volcano type, based on size, shape, and composition.
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5. Navigate to Mauna Loa on the BIG island of Hawaii (central Pacific Ocean) (19.4715, -155.59039).
a) Maximum height (elevation) of the volcano: ___________________________ meters above sea level.
Base elevation of the volcano: _____________________________ meters above sea level.
Relief (maximum – base elevation) = _____________________meters, total height.
Base width: _____________________ meters. Average slope of volcano ((relief ÷ ½width)*100%):_____
b) Sketch and describe the overall shape of Mauna Loa.
c) Describe the likely composition of this volcano, based on your observations. Explain your answer.
d) Describe the major geologic hazards associated with this volcano. What do the deposits look like for each
hazard, and what specific areas of the landscape are most impacted?
e) Zoom out and examine the region. Describe the likely tectonic setting of the Hawaiian Islands. (Hint: think back
to your tectonic homework). Support your answer with observations on the major tectonic landforms of the
region.
f) After the lecture on volcanoes, speculate on the volcano type, based on size, shape, and composition.
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6. Navigate to Mt. Fujiyama, Japan (35.364, 138.731).
a) Maximum height (elevation) of the volcano above sealevel :___________________________ meters.
Base elevation of the volcano: _____________________________ meters.
Relief (maximum – base elevation) = _____________________meters total height.
Base width: ________________ meters. Average slope of volcano ((relief ÷½width)*100%) = ________
b) Sketch and describe the overall shape of Mt. Fujiyama:
c) Describe the likely composition of this volcano, based on your observations. Explain your answer.
d) Describe the major geologic hazards associated with this volcano. What do the deposits look like for each
hazard, and what specific areas of the landscape are most impacted? How do the volcanic risks here compare
with those around Mt. St. Helens? Begin by defining volcanic risk, then compare the two locations.
e)
Zoom out and examine the region. Describe the likely tectonic setting of the volcanoes in Japanese region.
Support your answer with observations on the major tectonic landforms of the region.
f)
After the lecture on volcanoes, speculate on the volcano type, based on size, shape, and composition.
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7. Navigate to Mt. Alayta, Ethiopia (12.887, 40.573).
a) Maximum height (elevation) of the volcano above sea evel :___________________________ meters.
Base elevation of the volcano: _____________________________ meters.
Relief (maximum – base elevation) = _____________________meters total height.
Base width: _________________ meters. Average slope of volcano ((relief ÷ ½width)*100%):_________
b) Sketch and describe the overall shape of Mt. Alayta:
c) Describe the likely composition of this volcano, based on your observations. Explain your answer.
d) Describe the major geologic hazards associated with this volcano. What do the deposits look like for each
hazard, and what specific areas of the landscape are most impacted?
e)
Zoom out and examine the region. Describe the likely tectonic setting of the volcanoes in the region (crust type
and motion). Support your answer with observations on the major tectonic landforms of the region.
f)
After the lecture on volcanoes, speculate on the volcano type, based on size, shape, and composition.
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8. Navigate to Aniakchack, Alaska (56.901, -158.142).
a) Maximum height (elevation) of the volcano above sea level :___________________________ meters.
Base elevation of the volcano: _____________________________ meters.
Relief (maximum – base elevation) = _____________________meters total height.
Base width: ________________ meters. Average slope of volcano ((relief ÷ ½width)*100%):_________
b) Sketch and describe the overall shape of Aniakchack:
c) Describe the likely composition of this volcano, based on your observations. Explain your answer.
d) Describe the major geologic hazards associated with this volcano. What do the deposits look like for each
hazard, and what specific areas of the landscape are most impacted?
e) Zoom out and examine the region. Describe the likely tectonic setting of the volcanoes in the region (crust type
and motion). Support your answer with observations on the major tectonic landforms of the region.
f) After the lecture on volcanoes, speculate on the volcano type, based on size, shape, and composition.
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9. Plot your measured values for the volcanoes examined in this lab, on the graphs below.
Width (km)
200
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Descabeza
Mt. St. Helens
Mt. Fuji
Mauna Loa
Mt. Alayta
Aniakchack
Relief (m)
5000
4500
4000
3500
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
Descabeza
Mt. St. Helens
Mt. Fuji
Mauna Loa
Mt. Alayta
Aniakchack
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Slope (%)
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Descabeza
Mt. St. Helens
Mt. Fuji
Mauna Loa
Mt. Alayta
Aniakchack
Felsic
Intermediate
Mafic
Composition
0
Descabeza
Mt. St. Helens
Mt. Fuji
Mauna Loa
Mt. Alayta
Aniakchack
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Summarize volcano type/composition relationships.
Go back to your answer for question ‘f’ for each volcano examined in lab, and make sure you have a good answer!
Then use your observations and interpretations to complete the following statements and questions. Use Tables 1-3, on
the next page, for appropriate terms.
➢ Shield volcanoes usually have a_____________ shape, _________slope, and a _____________composition.
The most common hazard(s) are:
➢ Shield volcanoes commonly form in these tectonic settings:
Explain your answer (relate volcano type to magma composition – where does the magma come from?)
➢ Composite volcanoes usually have a_____________ shape, _________slope, and a ___________composition. The
most common hazard(s) are:
➢ The most common tectonic setting of composite volcanoes is at: ___________________boundaries.
Explain your answer (relate volcano type to magma composition – where does the magma come
from?)
➢ Caldera volcanoes usually have a_____________ shape, _________slope, and a _____________composition. The
most common hazard(s) are:
➢ Caldera volcanoes commonly form in these tectonic settings:
Explain your answer (relate volcano type to magma composition – where does the magma come from?)
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Table 1
Shapes
Wide dome
Steep cone
Open crater with raised rim
Table 2
Slopes
Low (0 – 10 %)
Moderate (11 – 20%)
Steep (>20%)
Table 3
Composition
Mafic
Intermediate - Felsic
Felsic
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Volcanoes
Factors determining the “violence” or
explosiveness of a volcanic eruption
• Composition of the magma
• Temperature of the magma
• Dissolved gases in the magma
• The above three factors control the viscosity of a given
magma, which in turn controls the nature of an eruption
Viscosity
• Viscosity is a measure of a material’s resistance to flow (e.g., higher viscosity
materials flow with greater difficulty)
• Factors affecting viscosity
• Temperature – hotter magmas are less viscous
• Composition – silica (SiO2) content
Higher silica content = higher viscosity
(e.g., felsic lava such as rhyolite)
• Amount of dissolved gasses (don’t worry about why)
Viscosity and Magma
• Fluid basaltic lavas generally produce quiet eruptions
• Highly viscous lavas (rhyolite or andesite) produce
more explosive eruptions
Materials Extruded During and
Eruption
• Lava flows
• Dissolved gasses
• Pyroclastic material
Lava flows
• Basaltic lavas are much more fluid and produce
• Pahoehoe lava (resembles a twisted or ropey texture)
• Aa lava (rough, jagged blocky texture)
Pillow Lava
Figure 16.18
Dissolved Gases
most abundant “stuff ” that’s erupted
• One to six percent of a magma by weight
• Mainly water vapor and carbon dioxide
Pyroclastic Materials
• “Fire fragments”
• Ash and dust – fine, glassy fragments
• Pumice – porous rock from “frothy” lava
• Lapilli – walnut-sized material
• Cinders – pea-sized material
• Blocks – hardened or cooled lava
• Bombs – ejected as hot lava
General features of volcanoes
• Crater or Caldera – steep-walled depression at
the summit (crater is >1 km, caldera