Types of Volcanoes

There are two types of volcano:

• Composite volcano

• Shield volcano

Composite Volcanoes

Examples of composite volcanoes are Soufrière Hills, Montserrat and Mount Etna.

• These occur in areas of destructive plate boundaries.

• The eruptions are violent, ejecting thick and sticky lava.

• Ash and lava are ejected into the air and descend as slow-flowing, thick lava. The process is then repeated, building up layers of ash and lava.

• Pyroclastic flows (hot gas and ash) travelling more than 160 km per hour can flatten and burn everything in their path.

• Lahars (melted ice or rain mixed with ash) can occur.

• Thick layers of ash leave areas uninhabitable.

Shield Volcanoes

Examples of shield volcanoes are Iceland and Hawaii.

• These occur in areas of constructive plate boundaries.

• Widely, gentle-sloping volcanoes eject thin, runny lava.

• The eruptions are not explosive and are less likely to result in loss of life.