Characteristics of Volcanoes

1. Characteristics of Volcanoes Geophysical systemsHow geological processes give rise to geophysical events of differing type and magnitudeMechanisms of plate movement including internal heating, convection currents, plumes, subduction and rifting at plate margins Characteristics of volcanoes (shield, composite and cinder) formed by varying types of volcanic eruption; and associated secondary hazards (pyroclastic flows, lahars, landslides)

2. Enquiry QuestionHow do volcanoes vary from place to place? Lesson Objectives: • To describe and explain the processes, features and hazards at different plate boundaries • To describe the characteristics of volcanoes including shield, composite and cinder • To explain the different types of volcanic eruption; and associated secondary hazards, including pyroclastic flows, lahars, landslides

3. Distribution of volcanoes KEY CONCEPT - How geophysical systems generate hazard risks for different places Describe the spatial distribution of volcanoes around the planet including the areas of highest concentration.  (4)

4. Describe where the most dangerous volcanic areas are (in terms of human deaths) (4). 

5. Plate Boundaries - Processes Use the website Tectonic settings and Volcanic activity to complete the worksheet to annotate a diagram of each plate boundary, explain the processes, the volcano type and the associated hazards

6. Convergent (destructive) plate boundary Oceanic to continental https://www.volcanodiscovery.com/geology/subduction-zones.html Where two plates collide, the heavier of the two - usually an oceanic one - sinks (or is pulled) under the other plate, a process called subduction. When the (typically very old) oceanic crust sinks back into the mantle in a subduction zone, it comes progressively under greater pressure and temperature. The magmas in subduction zone volcanoes are often explosive, because they arrive at the surface as very sticky (viscous) and gas rich. Volcanoes in subduction zones are typically explosive. Sometimes, they are also called "gray volcanoes" (as opposed to "red volcanoes"), because their eruptions often produce gray ash plumes rather than red hot fluid lava flows.

7. Divergent plate boundary Spreading-center volcanism occurs at rift-zones, where two plates are moving apart from each other. Most commonly this is the case at mid-oceanic ridges, where two oceanic plates move apart.  Hot mantle material from the asthenosphere wells upward underneath.  https://www.volcanodiscovery.com/geology/plate-tectonics/divergent-boundaries.html

8. The asthenosphere • Asthenosphere, zone of Earth’s mantle lying beneath the lithosphere and believed to be much hotter and more fluid than the lithosphere. • Heat from deep within Earth is thought to keep the asthenosphere malleable lubricating the undersides of Earth’s tectonic plates and allowing them to move.  • Convection currents generated within the asthenosphere push magma upward through volcanic vents and spreading centres to create new crust. • Convection currents also stress the lithosphere above, and the cracking that often results in earthquakes. • According to the theory of plate tectonics, the asthenosphere is the repository for older and denser parts of the lithosphere that are dragged downward in subduction zones. https://www.britannica.com/science/asthenosphere

9. Processes and volcano type • Convection currents in the mantle pull two oceanic plates towards each other. • One of the oceanic plates will be denser and so it will sink down beneath the other plate, this process is known as subduction. • When the oceanic crust sinks back into the mantle in a subduction zone, it comes progressively under greater pressure and temperature. When pressure is released earthquakes occur. • The oceanic crust melts, heating makes the material less dense and it rises through cracks to the surface forming volcanoes. • Where two oceanic plates meet, seamount volcanoes form. • After successive eruptions they will break the surface to form volcanic islands. When several of these islands form together they are called an island arc. • The magmas in subduction zone volcanoes are often explosive, because they arrive at the surface as very sticky (viscous) and gas rich. • Volcanoes in subduction zones are typically explosive. Sometimes, they are also called "gray volcanoes" (as opposed to "red volcanoes"), because their eruptions often produce gray ash plumes rather than red hot fluid lava flows. • Volcanoes called composite volcanoes often form at subduction zones, these are volcanoes that are composed of layers of ash and rock from previous eruptions. Ocean to ocean convergent (destructive) plate boundary • Associated hazards: • Violent volcanic eruptions • Capable of producing strong earthquakes known as megathrust earthquakes. • Tsunamis can be caused by powerful landslides, large earthquakes or violent volcanic eruptions. • Pyroclastic flows: a dense, destructive mass of very hot ash, lava fragments, and gases ejected explosively from a volcano and typically flowing downslope at great speed. • See also other impacts of composite volcanoes.

10. Ocean to continent convergent (destructive) plate boundary • Processes and volcano type • Convection currents in the mantle pull an oceanic plate and a continental plate towards each other. • The oceanic plate is denser and so will sink down beneath the continental plate, this process is known as subduction. • As the oceanic plate is subducted a deep ocean trench forms. • When the oceanic crust sinks back into the mantle in a subduction zone, it comes progressively under greater pressure and temperature. When pressure is released earthquakes occur. • The oceanic crust melts, heating makes the material less dense and it rises through cracks to the surface forming volcanoes. • The collision of the plates also causes severe folding and uplift of the rocks, forming mountain ranges. • The magmas in subduction zone volcanoes are often explosive, because they arrive at the surface as very sticky (viscous) and gas rich. • Why so explosive? On their long way up to the surface, these magmas undergo a variety of processes, such as cooling and partially crystallizing. This results in more silica rich magma. Silica thickens magma and makes it more viscous (sticky). The magma also contains a lot of fluid (mostly water, carbon & sulfur dioxide). At the surface, these fluids will form bubbles, but sometimes are unable to escape the sticky magma other than by explosive fragmentation • Therefore, volcanoes in subduction zones are typically explosive. Sometimes, they are also called "gray volcanoes" (as opposed to "red volcanoes"), because their eruptions often produce gray ash plumes rather than red hot fluid lava flows. • Volcanoes called composite volcanoes often form at subduction zones, these are volcanoes that are composed of layers of ash and rock from previous eruptions. They are step sided as they erupt viscous lava that has a short lava flow. • Associated hazards: • Violent volcanic eruptions e.g. composite volcanoes • Capable of producing strong earthquakes known as megathrust earthquakes. • Tsunamis can be caused by powerful landslides, large earthquakes or violent volcanic eruptions. • Pyroclastic flows: a dense, destructive mass of very hot ash, lava fragments, and gases ejected explosively from a volcano and typically flowing downslope at great speed. • See also other impacts of composite volcanoes.

11. Processes and volcano type • Constructive boundaries occur when two plates move away from each other and create a new crust. • This occurs most commonly in the middle of oceans. • The convection currents causing this movement causes the sea floor to spread and a gap called a rift valley is created. • Magma rises to fill the gap, forming submarine volcanoes. • A series of volcanoes can form along a constructive plate margin, this is known as a mid-ocean ridge. • Where the magma builds up above the surface of the ocean volcanic islands form. • Constructive plate boundaries can also be found on land. The East Africa Rift Valley is opening up and new land is formed at the bottom of the valley. Constructive/divergent plate margin • Associated hazards: • Less effusive eruptions (less violent) because magma is upwelling form the mantle and spilling out at the surface e.g. associated with fissure volcanoes. • Weak earthquakes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeEMcZnvpsc&app=desktop

12. Why is Hawaii an anomaly? HOTSPOTS Watch the video and make notes from page 177 of the Oxford textbook on hotspot volcanoes

13. Volcanic hotspots • Not all volcanoes occur at tectonic plate margins. • For example, some, Like Hawaii, can be found in the middle of oceans. • The volcanoes on Hawaii have been caused by a volcanic hotspot or mantle plume. • A mantle plume is a jet of hot material rising from deep within the mantle . • The material is so hot that it melts the crust above and erupts at the surface forming volcanoes. • The volcanoes begin as submarine volcanoes but can rise to form volcanic islands. • The hotspot remains stationanry, but the tectonic plate is moving above it. This means that volcanoes move off the hotspot and lose their source of magma, they will eventually become extinct. • However, new volcanoes will form at the site of the hotspot, this leads to the development of island chains e.g. the Hawaiian Island chain.

14. Go to volcano discovery to see the currently erupting volcanoes

15. Example Exam question

16. The 3 main types of Volcano Watch the the video to the left, use this website : Three types of volcnoes to complete the sheet:

17. Cinder cone https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=aS_xl3nu_mY

18. Shield volcano https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=26&v=byJp5o49IF4

19. Composite volcano https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1u1Ys4m5zY4

20. Types of eruption- processes • Use the animation (hyperlinked to the right and on the Weebly) to complete the worksheet highlighting : • Why does Magma rise through the crust? • The different types of magma in cinder, shield and composite volcanoes

21. Volcanic hazards- processes • Use the information on the Weebly to complete the card sort of the different volcanic hazards. Use the card sort information, along with that on the Weebly, to complete the second part of the sheet.

23. Student Assessment  - Exam question - Processes Study the diagram Explain the characteristics of two contrasting types of volcano and their associated hazards located on the diagram. (3+3)

24. Mark scheme • Clear and accurate reference to types of volcano and their location in terms of plate boundary • Excellent knowledge and understanding of how volcanoes and their associated hazards contrast, evidence in terms of place examples

25. Example essay question Explain the forces that cause plate movement and the resulting volcanic activity (10)

26. Example essay question • Examine the role of plate margin type in determining the severity of volcanic hazards. [10]