Virtual Volcano Lab Questions

Magma is stored in a magma chamber when it is below the Earth's surface. A magma chamber is a large underground reservoir that holds molten rock, or magma. It is formed when magma from the mantle rises towards the surface but gets trapped in the crust. The magma chamber acts as a storage space for the molten rock, allowing it to accumulate and potentially lead to volcanic eruptions when the pressure becomes too high.

Fire fountains are fountains of lava that erupt forcefully from the main vent of a volcano. These fountains can reach great heights and can continue for hours. Unlike regular fountains that consist of water, fire fountains are composed of molten rock and can be extremely dangerous. They are a spectacular and awe-inspiring natural phenomenon, but their eruption can cause significant damage and pose a threat to surrounding areas.

The viscosity of magma refers to its thickness or resistance to flow. Magma with high viscosity is thick and does not flow easily, while magma with low viscosity is thin and flows more easily. The thickness of magma is determined by several factors, including its composition, temperature, and gas content. Higher temperatures and lower gas content generally result in lower viscosity, making the magma more fluid. Therefore, thickness is the most appropriate choice to describe magma's viscosity.

A pyroclastic flow is a mass of very hot gases and rock fragments that rushes down the side of a volcano at high speeds. It is a dangerous and destructive phenomenon that can travel at speeds of up to 60mph. This flow is composed of volcanic ash, lava fragments, and hot gases, and can cause significant damage to the surrounding areas, including destroying everything in its path and causing widespread fires.

Lava tubes are channels of hardened lava. When lava flows during a volcanic eruption, it can create tunnels or channels as it cools and solidifies. These channels are formed when the outer layer of the lava cools and hardens, while the inner lava continues to flow. As the eruption subsides, the remaining lava drains out, leaving behind empty tunnels. These lava tubes can vary in size and shape, and they are often found in volcanic areas where lava has flowed extensively.

The higher the magma's viscosity and gas content, the bigger the eruption. This is because high viscosity means that the magma is thick and sticky, making it harder for gases to escape. As a result, pressure builds up inside the volcano until it eventually explodes, leading to a larger eruption. Additionally, a higher gas content means that there is more gas trapped within the magma, further contributing to the size of the eruption.

Stratovolcanoes, also known as composite volcanoes, are the tallest type of volcano. They are characterized by their steep sides and a symmetrical cone shape. Stratovolcanoes are built up by alternating layers of lava flows, volcanic ash, and other volcanic materials. This layering creates a strong and stable structure, allowing stratovolcanoes to grow to great heights. In contrast, shield volcanoes have a broad, gently sloping shape and are typically shorter in height. Cinder cone volcanoes are the smallest and simplest type of volcano, usually forming from a single vent and consisting of loose, fragmented volcanic material.

Lahars are dangerous slides of mud and ash that occur during volcanic eruptions. They are formed when volcanic materials, such as ash and debris, mix with water, either from heavy rainfall or melting snow and ice. The resulting mixture flows down the slopes of the volcano, resembling a fast-moving river of mud. Lahars can be extremely destructive, causing significant damage to infrastructure and posing a threat to human life. Therefore, lahars are the correct answer to the question.

Shield volcanoes are the largest on Earth because they have a broad, gently sloping shape and are formed by the eruption of low-viscosity lava. This lava flows easily and covers a large area, creating a wide, shield-like structure. Shield volcanoes can reach massive sizes, with Mauna Loa in Hawaii being one of the largest examples. These volcanoes have a relatively calm eruption style and are not known for explosive eruptions, contributing to their ability to grow to such large sizes.

Shield volcanoes are the type of volcanoes that are known as island-builders. These volcanoes have broad, gently sloping sides and are formed by the eruption of fluid lava. The lava flows easily and spreads out, creating a wide, shield-like shape. Over time, the repeated eruptions of these volcanoes can build up enough lava to create islands. Shield volcanoes are typically found in oceanic settings, where they can emerge from the seafloor and eventually form islands.