What Is A Volcano?

Volcanoes are created when pressure builds up in the mantle. The mantle is the layer of the Earth between the crust and the core. Inside the mantle, there is a lot of heat and molten rock called magma. When the pressure from the magma becomes too high, it forces its way to the surface through cracks in the Earth's crust, resulting in volcanic eruptions. This process is responsible for the formation of most volcanoes around the world.

Mauna Loa in Hawaii is a shield volcano. Shield volcanoes are characterized by their broad, gently sloping sides and large size. They are formed by the accumulation of fluid lava flows that spread out in all directions from a central vent. Mauna Loa is one of the largest shield volcanoes in the world and is known for its frequent eruptions of basaltic lava. Its shape and size are typical of shield volcanoes, making it the correct answer.

A volcanic hot spot refers to an area of volcanic activity in the middle of a tectonic plate. Unlike most volcanoes that occur near plate boundaries, hot spots are located in the interior of a plate. They are caused by a localized source of heat beneath the Earth's surface, which creates a plume of magma that rises to the surface and forms a volcano. These hot spots can remain active for millions of years and can lead to the formation of volcanic chains, such as the Hawaiian Islands.

Cinder Cone Volcanoes are the most common type of volcano. They are formed by explosive eruptions that eject small fragments of lava and volcanic ash into the air. These fragments then fall back to the ground and accumulate around the vent, forming a steep-sided cone-shaped volcano. Cinder Cone Volcanoes are typically smaller in size compared to other types of volcanoes and have a short lifespan. They are found in many volcanic regions around the world and are known for their explosive eruptions.

A shield volcano is described as being like a large but low hill. Unlike other types of volcanoes, such as stratovolcanoes, shield volcanoes have a broad and gently sloping profile. They are formed by the accumulation of numerous thin layers of basaltic lava flows that spread out in all directions from a central vent. The lava flows are relatively fluid and have low viscosity, allowing them to travel long distances before solidifying. This results in the characteristic shape of a shield volcano, which is wide and gently sloping, resembling a large but low hill.