Chapter 6: Volcanoes and Volcanic Hazards
_____ eruptions can erupt more than 1,000 cubic kilometers of magma, resulting in the collapse of the overlying ground into a large crater.
caldera-forming
Which of the following is not a way in which volcanic domes are commonly destroyed?
collapse into emptied magma chambers below
Mount Pelée, which killed about 30,000 people with pyroclastic flows in 1902, is a _____ volcano located over a subduction zone.
composite
What type of volcano is Mount Rainier?
composite
_____ volcanoes produced pyroclastic flows that killed tens of thousands of people at Pompeii and St. Pierre
composite
Almost 40,000 people were killed by the 1883 eruption of Krakatau, Indonesia. Krakatau was a _____ that formed a caldera.
composite volcano
Which of the following plate boundaries is least likely to produce composite volcanoes?
continent-continent convergent boundary with a high mountain range (Himalayas)
Which of the following is not a typical hazard posed to human-made structures by lava flows?
high winds
In A.D. eruption at Mount Vesuvius in Italy, which killed about 25,000 people in Pompeii and Herculaneum, consisted mainly of _____ that roared down the slopes of the composite volcano.
pyroclastic flows
The A.D. 79 eruption at Mount Vesuvius in Italy, which killed about 25,000 people in Pompeii and Herculaneum, consisted mainly of _____ that roared down the slopes of the composite volcano.
pyroclastic flows
Which of the following is a recognizable characteristic of recent calderas?
steep-sided, basin-shaped depression
A composite cone would be expected to have slopes that are _____ than those of a shield volcano.
steeper
The magma feeding Mount Rainier and the other cascade volcanoes results from melting associated within the Cascadia _____ zone, which is an ocean-continent _____ boundary.
subduction; convergent
Decreasing pressure on a liquid that contains dissolved gases will result in _____.
the formation of gas bubbles
Which of the following are erupted by volcanoes?
- pumice - lava - ash
Volcanic mudflows can be detected remotely by monitoring _____
characteristic rumbling produced as they rush down valleys
The existence of a potentially dangerous situation or event is known as a(n) _____, whereas the likelihood and magnitude of its impact on society is known as its _____.
hazard; risk
Volcanic domes form from the accumulation of _____ lava over a volcanic event.
viscous
Match the magma type with the corresponding eruption type.
- Basaltic magma: fluid lava flows from shield volcanoes; low viscosity - Felsic magma: expolsive eruptions from composite volcanoes; high viscosity
Contrast eruption columns with pyroclastic flows by putting the description in the category.
- Eruption column: > Tephra erupts high into the atmosphere along with large amounts of hot volcanic gases > Ash particles drift back down to Earth hundreds of kilometers or more from the volcano - Pyroclastic flow: > Ash layers are deposited only on and adjacent to the slopes of the volcano > Tephra billows down the slopes of the volcano in ground -hugging flows at speeds of over 100 km/hr
Match the magma type with its gas bubble behavior.
- Felsic magma = gas bubbles cannot escape easily; high pressures build up in the magma; typically explosive eruptions; magma is high viscosity - Basaltic magma = gas bubbles escape easily; little pressure builds in the magma; typically nonexplosive eruptions; magma is low viscosity
Match the volcanic feature with the hazard.
- Scoria cone: > falling volcanic cinders and bombs > volcanic ash and gases - Lava flow: > burial of roads > bulldozing and crashing of houses and other structures
Which of the following accurately describe most shield volcanoes?
- broad and gently sloping form - composed of a succession of lava flows
which of the following accurately describe a scoria cone?
- composed of a pile of loose, vesicular lava fragments - steep-sided hill - formed from lava fountains
Which of the following are characteristics of actively erupting volcanoes?
- glowing orange lava flowing downhill - fragments of molten rock blasting into the air - billowing clouds of ash rising into the air
Which of the following phenomena are monitored to predict volcanic eruptions?
- heat flow changes - changes in gas output - ground shaking - changes in topography
Which of the following best describe a young scoria cone?
- little soil buildup on slopes - dark, fresh-looking lava - central crater at top of a conical hill
Which of the following are the two main factors controlling volcanic eruption style?
- magma composition - volatile content of the magma
Which of the following are hypothesized sources of the magma that produce flood eruptions?
- melted asthenosphere from around the plume in the shallow mantle - melted lithosphere over a mantle plume - plume material from deep in the mantle that melts at shallow depths
Select from below the typical components of a composite volcano.
- mudflow deposits - lava flows - pyroclastic flows
Which of the following were hazardous effects produced in mainland Europe by the huge 1783 eruption at Lake, Iceland?
- reduced summer sunlight - unusually cold winter - crop failures and famine
Which of the following accurately describe young lava flows?
- rough upper surface - steep flow fronts
Put the events of the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption in order. Begin with the earliest event on top and proceed to the last.
1.) earthquake 2.) landslide 3.) lateral blast and eruption column
Put the events of caldera formation in order. Begin with the first event, and end with the last.
1.) magma erupts as ash column, emptying a shallow magma chamber 2.) overlying material collapses into emptied chamber in a series of fault blocks 3.) ash and other pyroclastics fill the subsiding crater 4.) small rhyolite domes form in caldera
Which of the following is not a typical eruption style during the growth of a composite volcano?
Caldera collapse
_____ eruptions are among the world's most lethal natural disasters
Caldera-forming
Which of the following are ways in which volcanic domes are commonly destroyed?
Collapse of the steep flanks into block and ash flows Internally derived explosions from trapped gas pressure
The following is a location in which flood basalts erupted:
Columbia Plateau
The ways in which lava flows destroy human-made structures:
Covering roads Burning buildings Crushing/bulldozing buildings
Which of the following are ways in which older calderas typically become harder to recognize?
Disruption by faulting Burial by younger rocks Erosion
Match the eruption style with its description
Eruption column: Ash particles drift back down to Earth hundreds of kilometers or more from the volcano. Tephra erupts high into the atmosphere along with large amounts of hot volcanic gases. Pyroclastic flow: Ash layers are deposited only on and adjacent to the slopes of the volcano. Tephra billows down the slops of the volcano in ground-hugging flows at speeds of over 100 km/hr
The following events accompanied the 1883 eruption at Krakatau, Indonesia:
Most of a large island collapses into a caldera Tsunami waves strike ships and nearby coastline Largest and loudest explosion in recorded hisotry occurs HIgh eruption column and pyroclastic flows form
The largest concentration of composite volcanoes on Earth is located along the _____.
Pacific Ring of Fire
Which of the following is not true of basaltic lava flows?
They pile up in steep, cone-shaped hills
The same volcano may produce both explosive and nonexplosive eruptions.
True
The volcanic hazards associated with a volcano are dependent upon the type of volcano.
True
Which of the following would be evidence that a volcano has been inactive for a long period of time?
Well-developed soils on volcanic rocks
The most common volcanic rock found in lava flows on composite volcanoes is _____.
andesite
Huge circular depressions from which volcanoes erupt are called _____.
calderas (or crater)
_____ are common on composite volcanoes because of their abundant clay, loose rocks, moisture, and steep slopes.
debris flows, landslides, and lahars
True/False: A typical volcanic eruption is likely to kill millions of people at a time.
false
True/False: All hills made of volcanic rocks are volcanoes
false
Which of the following is not a hazard typically associated with scoria cones?
fast-moving lava flows
Gases more easily remain dissolved in liquids at _____ pressures.
high
Flood-basalt eruptions are fed by _____
long fissures/dikes
Which of the following are typically erupted from a volcano?
scalding hot ash, lava, and gases
Which of the following lists the four types of volcanoes shaped like hills and mountains?
scoria cone, shield, composite, dome
Magma rising through the crust fractures rocks, producing rhythmic, repeating
seismic shaking
When lava flows reach the ocean, they _____.
solidify and add land to an island
The typical form for a composite volcano is a _____.
steep-sided cone
Shield volcanoes have low slopes primarily because _____.
the low viscosity of basaltic magma allows it to flow downhill for long distances
The higher the gas pressure builds in magma, _____.
the more explosive an eruption it is likely to produce
Which of the following is not evidence of recent volcanic activity?
thick, well-developed soil
Volcanic domes form from the accumulation of ____ lava over a volcanic vent.
viscous
_____ forming eruptions are the largest and most violent volcanic phenomena.
caldera-
Which of the following are two ways in which volcanic domes grow?
- thick flows of lava break out and flow down the steep surface of the dome - magma injected into the interior expands and breaks up the overlying cooled lava
Which of the following are properties characteristic of calderas?
- form from collapse of overlying ground into emptied magma chamber - bounded by steep escarpments - large, basin-shaped volcanic depression
Which of the following were warning signs prior to the catostrphic eruption of Mount St. Helens in May 1980?
- formation of a bulge on its flanks - earthquakes
Due to their large size and the volume of erupted gases, which of the following are likely true for flood basalts?
- highly reflective sulfuric acid droplets in the atmosphere could lead to global cooling' - such eruptions could lead to increased greenhouse warming
Which of the following events accompanied the caldera-forming eruption at Santorini, Greece, about 3,500 years ago?
- huge ash column forms - pyroclastic flows occur - caldera collapse drops island beneath the sea surface - tsunami travels south and hits Crete
Which of the following commonly precede a volcanic eruption?
- increased heat flow from the volcano - steam eruption from the volcanic crater - increased gas flow from a volcano
Which of the following are locations where flood basalts are known to have occurred?
- india - siberia - oceanic plateaus - brazil
Which of the following are responsible for the huge size of flood basalts?
- large (long and wide) fissures from which the lava spews - multiple eruption events in the same area - low viscosity of the basaltic magma
Volcanic vents can take which of the following forms?
- narrow linear fissures - roughly circular craters
Which of the following rock types are associated with basaltic volcanoes?
- nonvesicular basalt - scoria - volcanic bombs - vesicular basalt
Which of the following are characteristics typical of volcanic domes? Assume a relatively young dome.
- often occur in clusters - rubble-covered surface - steep-sided
Which of the following processes contribute to the growth of composite volcanoes?
- pyroclastic flows - ash column eruptions -eruption of lava flow
Which of the following volcanic hazards are posed to the surrounding areas by Mount Rainier?
- pyroclastic flows - lava flows - mudflows
rank the following volcanoes in order of increasing average size. Put the smallest volcano on top and proceed to the largest.
- scoria cone - composite volcano - large shield volcano
The potential hazards associated with a volcano can be assessed by studying various characteristics and the history of the volcano. Match the characteristics with what type of information it provides.
- shape: steep slopes indicate high viscosity, explosive magma; gentle slopes indicate less explosive magma - rock type: chemical analysis determines magma composition and potential for explosiveness - history: the sequence of layers and isotopic dating can indicate the timing and frequency of eruptions
Match the eruption products with their appropriate magma descriptions.
- thin lava flows: low-viscosity magmas with relatively low volatile contents - lava domes: high-viscosity magmas with relatively low volatile contents - lava fountains: low-viscosity magmas with relatively high volatile contents - eruption columns: high-viscosity magmas with relatively high volatile contents
Which of the following techniques are used to monitor changes in the shape of volcanoes that may indicate magma movement and imminent danger of eruption?
- tiltmeter usage to determine changes in slope - radar imaging to detect small changes in topography - GPS station monitoring
Which of the following situations would represent the highest level of volcanic hazard to a population?
- town located along a river drainage directly downhill from a volcano - town located very near to a volcano
Which of the following are typical hazards associated with scoria cones?
- toxic volcanic gases - falling cinders and volcanic bombs - volcanic ash
Which of the following materials commonly are found in composite volcanoes?
- volcanic tephra - volcanic tuff - andesitic lava flows - lahars and landslide deposits
Gas in basaltic magma is the major controlling factor that determines _____
- what rock types it will form - what landforms it will create
Put the events leading to the formation of Crater Lake as we see it today. Put the first (earliest) event on top and proceed to the latest.
1.) massive ash column eruption of a composite volcano empties the magma chamber 2.) overlying volcano collapses into the resulting void 3.) scoria cone forms in the caldera 4.) rain and snowmelt fill the caldera, producing a large and deep lake
List the rocks typically found in calderas, from the top downward. Begin with the rocks at the surface and continue to the rocks the farthest below the surface
1.) volcanic tuff 2.) hard, welded volcanic rock 3.) finely crystalline granite
Which of the following commonly preceded a volcanic eruption?
Steam eruptions from the volcanic crater Increased gas flow from a volcano Increased heat flow from the volcano
Shield volcanoes are composed primarily of _____ lava flows.
basaltic
The largest eruption on Earth are floods of _____ magma.
basaltic
Reduced temperatures and growing seasons in Europe following the 1783 Lake eruption were primarily caused by _____
blocking of sunlight by volcanic ash and aerosols
The volcanic rocks associated with domes are felsic to intermediate in composition, and hence are classified as rhyolite and _____.
andesite
Volcanism culminating in the Yellowstone eruptions of the past 2 million years has produced a set of overlapping calderas that stretch in an arc to the southwest from Yellowstone to southeastern Oregon, suggesting that North America has been riding to the southwest over a _____ for at least the past 12.5 million years.
hot spot
When fluid lava erupts onto the surface, it typically produces _____
lava flows
Lava flowing in _____ in Hawaii can remain hot and fluid for so long that it flows all the way to the ocean.
lava tubes
Lava flows are produced by basaltic magmas that contain _____ than those that produce scoria cones.
less gas
Long, thin lava flows are typically produced by _____.
low-viscosity lavas
According to the fossil record, _____ events have coincided with the approximate times when flood basalts were erupting.
mass extinction
Volcanic eruptions can produce huge floods by _____.
melting ice sheets
An older scoria cone would have _____ compared to a younger scoria cone.
more soil and plants
Older lava flows tend to have surfaces that are _____ than younger lava flows.
more subdued and have more soil and plants
Proximity to certain types of _____ boundaries is the major factor making some places more prone to volcanic hazards than others.
plate
Rhythmic seismic activity tends to _____ volcanic eruptions.
precede and accompany