Shannon Lindal Volcanoes Volcanoes are one of the most destructive yet fascinating geological land forms in They consist of a fissure in the earth’s crust above which acone of volcanic material has accumulated. The cone is formed by the deposition ofmolten or solid matter that flows from the interior of the earth through an indented vent,called a crater, which is found at the top of the cone. In this report I will discussdifferent states of volcanic activity, different forms of volcanoes and their properties andlocations. Some volcanoes are more active than others. Some are even in a state of constanteruption an example of this is Izalco, located in El Salvador, it first erupted in 1770 andhas been in a state of eruption ever since. In a belt that circles the Pacific Ocean their aremany active and erupting volcanoes. For obvious reasons this area is referred to as theRing of Fire. The activity of the volcanoes varies , for example, Vesuvius will continuein a state of moderate activity for long or short time periods and will then becomestagnant or in-active for months. If an eruption succeeds prolonged dormancy it willusually be fairly violent, as was the eruption of Mount Saint Helens after 123 years ofstillness. The potential danger of an active volcano can be seriously threatening tocivilization for more reasons than just the initial eruption of molten rock, disasters, suchas mud flows, triggered by an eruption are also serious hazards.Composite cones are formed from a combination of eruptions. First the volcanowill have an explosive eruption that ejects huge amounts of steam, gas, and ash. This isfollowed by the ejection of lava. Most composite cones are built of layers of fragmentmaterials and flows of lava, all inclined outward away from the vent. Both Etna, inSicily, and Vesuvius, near Naples are examples of composite cones. The mos...
