What Is a List of Active and Inactive Volcanoes in the World?
Quick Answer
The world has thousands of volcanoes, many of them active, and any attempt at a list requires classification. Volcanoes can be grouped according to their type: stratovolcanoes and shield volcanoes, as is done by Oregon State University.
Continue Reading
Full Answer
Stratovolcanoes are sometimes known as composite cones, as they are built up by many layers of ash, pumice and other ejecta that has fallen near the base. These volcanoes tend to rise steeply, according to Wikipedia, and are characterized by their sudden, violently explosive eruptions that can sometimes blow the entire summit off the cone. Some active stratovolcanoes are Mt. Fuji in Japan and Tavurvur in Indonesia. Mt. Etna in Italy, is also a stratovolcano, but it is considered dormant.
Shield volcanoes tend to have lower profiles than stratovolcanoes as a result of having been built up almost entirely of liquid lava flows over the years. These flows can continue for a long time and gradually build up a low, massive mountain that resembles a shield resting against the ground. Notable shield volcanoes are Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, both on the island of Hawaii, and Skjaldbriedour in Iceland. These volcanoes are active, as are 13 of the 21 known shield volcanoes of the Galapagos Island chain.
Learn more about VolcanoesRelated Questions
-
Q:
Which Volcanoes Are Located Along Convergent Plate Boundaries?
A: There are more than 550 active volcanoes in the world, almost all of which are located at convergent tectonic plate boundaries. This includes all of the vo... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
How Many Extinct Volcanoes Are There in the World?
A: It is hard to put an exact figure on the number of extinct volcanoes in the world; according to Oregon State University, the expectation that a volcano wil... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What Are Some Facts About Composite Volcanoes?
A: Some facts about composite volcanoes include the fact that some of the best-known mountains around the world are composite volcanoes. This list includes Mo... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
How Do I Make a Clay Volcano?
A: Clay volcanoes are a fun and simple way to exhibit the propulsive forces of volcanoes around the world. Making clay volcanoes is a simple project that can ... Full Answer >Filed Under:
