They are the volcanoes, the most enigmatic creations of nature. They can instill fear and admiration at the same time, each volcano is different from the other. Here we show you what are the Parts of a volcano, its characteristics, types of volcanoes, its structure and much more.
What are the parts of a volcano?
A volcano is composed of some external parts that can be seen with the naked eye and other internal parts, which are inside the volcanic structures and therefore cannot be observed.
The volcano is a natural formation, the product of certain transformations on the surface of the Earth and that due to the action of internal pressures, the magma from inside the Earth's core is released.
Actually the conformation of the volcanoes is closely linked to the typology of the magma, the development in the output of the magmatic material and by some conditions imposed by the environment.
It is very common for volcanoes to be compared to mountain formations, but this is not always the case. The forms that these types of geological formations have are very varied. Below you will find the description of the parts that make up a volcano.
External parts
The external parts of a volcano are the structures that can be seen with the naked eye, as long as they are not under the seabed.
Volcanic cone
As its name suggests, the volcanic cone resembles a cone-like geometric shape. This section of Kilauea volcano, could have been formed as a result of the constant expulsion of molten rocky material.
Towards the upper section of the structure, it narrows significantly, ending in another section called a crater. Through it, it is where the volcano lets out the lava.
The appearance that the cone acquires is related to the material that is expelled as a result of the eruptions that are generated in the volcano. The best known are listed below:
- splash cone: it is characterized by the amount of volcanic material that remains on its walls. Once the lava cools, it adds those characteristic irregular shapes.
- cinder cone: as its name suggests, they are formations generated by the accumulation of fragments of basaltic material. This type of cone generally releases lava through fissures formed on the sides of the volcano.
- cinder cone: They form from a single eruption event. When the magma comes into contact with the water, explosions of great magnitudes take place, which produce the expulsion of ash.
- stratocone: It is formed by the accumulation of several layers or levels of hardened lava.
- Pseudocrater: Its origin is due to the expulsion of lava that, when in contact with water, produces explosions of great proportions, which when cooled reveal a cone, which does not have a communication channel with the magmatic structure.
Crater
Another important part in the structure of the volcano is the crater. This is a cavity or hole, which is located in the upper part of the cone. It is through this section of the volcanic structure that the content deposited in the magmatic chamber exits.
To give you an idea of the shape of the crater, imagine a funnel, where the narrowest part maintains direct communication between the deposit of magmatic material and the outside.
Its size largely depends on the size of the volcano itself. For this reason, there will be craters with a diameter of hundreds of meters, up to mega craters with a radius of kilometers.
eruption column
The expulsion of volcanic material generates the formation of a vertical trail of smoke. This formation can be observed from great distances, as they reach heights greater than 30 kilometers.
fumaroles
They are the conduits that volcanoes have to allow the escape of internal gases, in a non-explosive way. Gases are constantly being produced inside volcanoes, generated by the heating and cooling of magma, and these must come out.
To allow the compensation of the internal chambers of the volcano, the fumaroles come into action, letting the water vapor generated by the heating of the water accumulated inside escape.
internal structure of the volcano
The internal conformation of a volcano is closely related to the external structure. It is a harmonious system, where everything that is generated internally must find a way out, to maintain the balance of the volcano.
Although you cannot see them, they are there and each one of them and their importance are mentioned below.
Magmatic chamber
The magma chamber is a large underground reservoir of molten or partially molten rocky material, which is called magma. Within this reservoir, all the material is subjected to very high pressures.
When the molten rocks manage to fracture the cover that surrounds them, all that magmatic material emerges towards the surface, causing what is known as volcanic eruption.
The magma chamber is located in the lower part of the volcano, which connects the magma with the outside, through the chimney. It is also responsible for the collapse of volcanoes, due to the sinking due to the loss of material, after an eruption.
Magma
It is a combination of different components, which are in a semi-fluid state. After being subjected to high pressures inside the structure of the earth, gases, dispersed minerals and various compounds that are part of the rocks merge.
This material can reach temperatures above 1000 °C, which can cause the fracture of the cover that retains it inside the earth's crust. It is called magma, when it is still inside the Earth and when it is expelled through the chimney, it is called lava.
volcanic chimney
This structure of the volcano is responsible for conducting the magma, in its ascent from the magma chamber to its outlet in the crater. Usually during its elevation, part of the rocky materials attached to the walls of the chimney are dragged and melted by the magma before being expelled.
In some volcanic structures, the chimney system is made up of a network of fissures that contribute to volcanic processes.
volcanic fissure
The fissures of a volcano are cracks or fractures that have different lengths. Through them, the volcano releases lava material, but without traces of explosions.
The fissures act as independent lava spillways from large-scale eruptions.
Characteristics of volcanoes
The characteristics of each volcanic structure will depend on its size and the point where it is located, according to its lifetime. You can find below some of the most relevant characteristics of these fascinating geological formations.
- Their shapes can be varied, but it is common that you can find them in a conical shape and this thanks to the accumulation of volcanic material, after the eruptions.
- They reach altitudes that can exceed 7000 meters above sea level.
- They are composed of different rocky materials, being characteristic of the type of volcano and the composition of the subsoil where it emerges.
- They have a very well defined life cycle and it is classified into three stages:
- latency state: is when the volcano can erupt unexpectedly.
- dormancy: it is the state of a volcano, in which they show signs of activity, but in many years they have not had eruptions.
- state of extinction: a volcano is said to be in a state of extinction, when it has not been active for many years and does not show signs of long-term activity.
Types of volcanoes
Volcanoes are classified according to their shape and the type of eruption they generate. All these variables generate the characteristics that make each of them stand out.
Below you will find a brief description of each of the types of volcanoes.
volcanoes according to their shape
In this category you can find the different volcanoes grouped according to their external appearance.
shield volcano
Shield volcanoes are geological formations that have a diameter greater than their height. Its formation is the product of the accumulation of remains of events from past eruptions.
Due to this peculiarity, its base will always be higher than the slope of the cone. As an example of this type of volcano, there are those found on the island of Hawaii and the Galapagos.
stratovolcanoes
They are generally large structures, their shape is conical and they have a central crater. These geological formations are the result of a succession of layers, in which remains of the rocky materials that have been expelled from the interior of the volcano have been deposited.
The layers that have formed, to give as a result these structures, are composed of sand, ashes and other remains of materials. An example of these volcanoes is Mount Fuji, on the Asian continent.
volcanic caldera
This type of geological formation is totally different from that of a crater. They are usually large depressions, which are caused by various reasons, they may be due to the collapse of the magma chamber or its displacement.
The reason why these chamber collapses occur is due to a disproportionate increase in the height of the volcano, which causes instability at its base, until it collapses.
Cinder or scoria cone
The cinder cones are volcanic structures of very low altitude, they are characterized by the fact that in their upper part, they have a crater whose shape is very similar to that of a plate.
The maximum height it can have is not more than 400 meters from its base. They are the product of the accumulation of ashes and other volcanic waste materials, which reached the outside, through the chimney and not through different flanks.
Maar or explosion craters
These formations are also known as tuff cones. They are generated by the violent growth of a large mass of water vapor, when it comes into contact with the magma and rises rapidly.
With the expulsion of this great mass of steam, an immense circular boiler is formed on the surface.
Volcanoes according to the type of eruption
The classification of volcanoes according to their type of eruption is closely related to the temperature of their interior, the degree of thickness of their lava and the composition of the elements that are present in the material protected in the magmatic chamber.
Hawaiian
This type of volcano expels a lava that is quite fluid and that in its mixture does not have as much presence of gases, ashes and rocky material. In general, the gases inside are released minimally, at regular intervals of time.
Strombolian
Strombolian volcanoes are characterized by the fact that the magma emissions rise in the form of gases, forming bubbles that generate explosions on a regular basis.
Vulcan
They are the volcanoes that expel a very viscous type of lava and for this reason it has little fluidity and solidifies almost instantly. Its eruption appears in the form of a cloud, very similar to a fungus.
The eruptions are quite powerful, expelling large amounts of material and abundant ash.
Vesuvian
They are characterized because the eruptions are explosive, due to the accumulation of gas pressure. When these volcanoes go through eruption events, huge columns of smoke and expulsion of rocks and other materials are generated.
Peleano-type volcano
They are characterized because their eruptions bring the presence of very thick lava that solidifies quickly. In general, this type of eruptions can completely obstruct its crater.
When the lava plugs the exit point, high pressures are generated inside the volcano. This causes the production of large explosions, which are accompanied by the destruction of much of its upper area.
Parts of a volcano, curiosities and more
Volcanic events always occupy space in newspapers and newscasts around the planet. This is due to the rarity and destructiveness that they usually have in nearby towns.
One of the star volcanoes is Kilauea, it is located in the Hawaiian archipelago. The eruption of this geological formation has left millions of people shocked by the images that travel the world, showing great rivers of lava.
The Kilauea volcano is the most active of the Hawaiian volcanic group and is counted as one of the most active in the world.
The Hawaiian tourism industry has known how to take advantage of this unbeatable natural resource, to enhance its tourist activity. Visits to scientific observation points, walks through the most inhospitable places and guided tours are included for those who want to know and live closely the experience of having that contact with these monumental natural formations.
