What Are the Results of a Volcano Eruption?

Hawaii's shield volcanoes create extensive lava beds, ultimately forming large islands.
••• Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images

Volcanoes are one of nature’s most destructive forces. However, volcanoes are also one of nature’s chief constructive forces. Volcanic eruptions are responsible for creating new crust and geological landforms. The specific results of a volcanic eruption differ widely; each volcano type has a distinct eruptive nature.

Shield Volcano Eruptions

Shield volcanoes are formed by layers of very fluid basaltic lava, which tends to flow long distances before solidifying. As a result, shield volcano eruptions create large, broad plateaus with gently sloping sides that resemble a shield. These eruptions lack the explosive nature of other volcano types, producing longer eruptions of lava fountains. Shield volcano lava flows can cover large areas of land -- their most destructive effect. The long-term result of these eruptions is the formation of islands, such as the Hawaiian Islands, and lava fields.

Composite Volcano Eruptions

Composite volcanoes can erupt with explosive results. The reason is that their andesite lava is cooler and much thicker than basalt lava, allowing them to capture large quantities of gas. These gas pockets create massive explosions when the volcano erupts, like popping the cork on a bottle of champagne. These volcanoes also produce pyroclastic flows. These billowing clouds of superheated gasses and particles can travel great distances at high speeds, destroying everything they come in contact with. Composite eruptions typically include massive eruption plumes that pump large quantities of gases, such as sulfur, and tiny particles into the atmosphere. This can impede air travel and lead to drops in global temperatures.

Cinder Cone Volcano Eruptions

Cinder cone volcano eruptions are like a hybrid between a shield and composite eruption, though the characteristics are more similar to the shield volcano. Like a shield volcano, cinder cone volcanoes feature basaltic lava. However, their lava is slightly thicker. This allows for the trapping of some gases. Typically, these eruptions eject small clumps of lava, called bombs, which solidify before they rain down on the surface. This creates a pile of cinder like volcanic rock around the vent. These volcanoes are normally very small, and only present a danger to the immediate area.

Caldera Volcano Eruptions

Caldera volcanoes are fueled by geological hot spots, such as the Yellowstone supervolcano complex in North America. Caldera volcanoes are composed of the thickest, most explosive magma, created from melted continental crust. Such volcanoes produce cataclysmic eruptions that destroy large areas and impact the entire globe. The last Yellowstone eruption, around 600,000 years ago, ejected more than 240 cubic miles of material into the atmosphere.

Related Articles

Three Types of Volcanoes: Cinder Cone, Shield and Composite
What Type of Volcano Is Not Associated With a Plate...
What Types of Volcanoes Are Violent With Steep Slopes?
What Are the Types of Eruptions From Most to Least...
Facts on & Causes of Volcanoes
How Does a Stratovolcano Erupt?
What Is the Difference Between a Quiet Eruption and...
Negative Effects of Shield Volcanoes
The Difference Between the Three Types of Volcanoes
Types of Volcanoes and Their Characteristics
What Are the Types of Volcanic Explosions?
Cinder Cone Lava Flow Effects
Main Parts of a Volcano
What Characteristics Do Volcanoes Have?
Three Types of Volcanic Cones
Volcanoes & Their Types of Eruptions
Do Volcanoes Pollute the Atmosphere?
What Were the Effects of the Tambora Eruption?
The Characteristics of Cinder Cones
Composition of Cinder Cones

Dont Go!

We Have More Great Sciencing Articles!