Shield volcano

On the Big Island of Hawaii, one of the world's most active volcanoes has been spewing lava since 1983.

Herbert: July 24, 2015 5:34 PM

bro do you even rift?

Learn about how the four different types of volcanoes (composite, shield, cinder cone, and lava dome) form and watch videos of how they erupt.

Journey into the world of volcanoes with our engaging poster! Discover the various types of volcanoes that dot our planet, from the gentle slopes of shield volcanoes to the dramatic peaks of stratovolcanoes and the explosive eruptions of cinder cone volcanoes. Delve into the unique characteristics of each type and uncover the geological forces that shape our landscapes. Perfect for young explorers and science enthusiasts alike! #Volcanoes #GeologyForKids #SciencePoster

The Hawaiian Islands were formed as the Pacific Plate moved westward over a geologic hot spot. The most populous Hawaiian Island, Oahu, is dominated by two large shield volcanoes that range in age from two to four million years old. However, a fair number of smaller and much younger volcanic craters are also present on Oahu, such as Diamond Head Crater pictured above. These younger eruptions were also much smaller in lava output, and much more explosive in nature than the older shield lavas.

Massimo on X: "Olympus Mons, located on Mars, is the second tallest mountain and largest volcano on any planet in the Solar System. It’s a shield volcano and it roughly covers an area of 300,000 km². Due to the size and gentle slopes of Olympus Mons, an observer standing on the Martian surface… https://t.co/kKjmwdglRu" / X

The Mauna Loa An Unexpected Discovery Just Changed The Ranking of Earth's Biggest Volcano Congratulations Mauna Loa, on the island o...

The name "shield volcano" originated from its Roman shield-like shape. They are broad, flat and can stretch hundreds of miles wide like Mauna Loa in Hawaii.