Modern, active volcanoes are found in certain zones around the world.
This suggests that these belts are, geologically, particularly active. This activity provides much of the evidence
on which the theory of Plate Tectonics is based.
In general terms, there are three types of volcanic zone:
- oceanic volcanoes:
- built on the oceanic crust
- magma derived from the mantle and oceanic crust
- continental volcanoes:
- built on continental crust
- magma derived from the upper mantle and continental crust
- island-arc volcanoes:
- built on the oceanic crust
- contaminated magma derived from the mantle and oceanic crust
Are oceanic volcanoes different from continental volcanoes?
If so - why? If not - why not? Are there any exceptions?
Where do island-arc volcanoes fit into the pattern?
Refer also to The shape of Volcanoes, Types of Lava and the The Structure of Volcanoes.
The volcanoes shown here are listed in alphabetical order (see map).
Volcano in the Andes
|
Drapuhlidarfjall
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Etna
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Granada
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Lava field from Laki
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Mauna Loa, Hawaii
 |
Mount Kenya
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Mount St Helens
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Ruapehu
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Stromboli
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Geopix Study Topic "Volcanoes Around the World"
- gives a full image of each of these, and other, volcanoes;
- describes each example in more detail;
- indicates its current volcanic activity where appropriate;
- gives the plate tectonic setting;
- highlights some of the hazards associated with these eruptions.
The "Volcanoes Around the World" Study Topic is part of the Geopix Volcanoes Study Guide CD.
To order this CD go to the Geopix
Online Store
The Study Topic contains the following pages:
