Mount Etna

Location: Sicily, Italy

Height: 3,329 m

(10,922 ft)

Formed: 500,000 years ago

Status: Active

Mount Etna is the tallest active volcano in Europe, and the 59th tallest volcano in the world. It is also one of the most active volcanoes in the world, in an almost constant state of volcanic activity. This is due to the fact that it sits on top of the convergent boundary between the Eurasian and African tectonic plates. Throughout its history the eruptions of Mt. Etna have alternated between explosive, violent eruptions and flowing, gentle eruptions. There have been several major eruptions of Mt. Etna, leading to the formation of calderas on the summit of the mountain. Between 35,000 and 15,000 years ago, Mt. Etna released large pyroclastic flows, some of which traveled as far as 800 km from the volcano.

In the last 100 years, there have been several major eruptions. These occurred in 1928, 1949, 1971,

1981, 1983, 1991, 1993, every year from 2001-2005, every year from 2007-2009, 2011, 2012, 2014, and most recently on December 3, 2015. Although Etna’s eruptions have been known to be violent and destructive, it has only claimed 77 lives in recorded history, and most of the damage it causes is to property and structures. In fact, most citizens that live near Mt. Etna consider it be a blessing, as its volcanic soils are rich and good for farming. Mt. Etna is closely monitored and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy.

Kilauea

Location: Hawaii, U.S.

Height: 18.2 m

(60 ft)

Formed: 300-600,000 years ago

Status: Active

Kilauea is the most active of the 5 volcanoes that together form the island of Hawai’i. It formed underwater between 300,000 and 600,000 years ago and first emerged above the surface of the Pacific Ocean about 100,000 years ago. It is the second youngest volcano formed by the Hawaiian hotspot. It is a very broad, flat volcano with a large, recently formed caldera at its summit (pictured above).

Its name means “spewing” or “much spreading” in the Hawaiian language, for its frequent oozing, free-flowing eruptions of lava. The top of the volcano is entirely covered in lava flows from the last 1,000 years. Since 1823, the volcano has been erupting repeatedly on a frequent basis. Its gentle eruptions do not post a large risk to human life. However, geologic records indicate that the volcano once had much more violent eruptions than it does now. If the volcano were to erupt violently again, it could pose a threat. Additionally, Kilauea has been knownto cause acid rain by releasing sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere. Since 1912, Kilauea has been under close watch by volcanologists from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. About 2.6 million tourists visit the volcano annually.

Lava Butte

Location: Oregon, U.S.

Height: 155 m

(509 ft)

Formed: 7,000 years ago

Status: Extinct

Lava Butte is a small volcano located in central Oregon that has only erupted once, when it was formed about 7,000 years ago. This eruption consisted of an opening in the ground spewing hot volcanic cinders into the air, which built up the major cone of the volcano. The volcano also released lava flows made of basalt which spread about 2.5 miles from the volcano. The top of the volcano has a crater that ranges from 60-160 ft. deep. Despite the fact that the volcano has only erupted once, geologists believe the volcano has the potential to erupt again. In the 1920’s, the cinders from the volcano were collected and used for construction of Route 97, and later for the construction of Longview bridge in Washington. In 1933, a single-lane road was constructed up to the summit. At the summit is a visitor center and lookout.

Mount Vesuvius

Location: Naples, Italy

Height: 1,281 m

(4,203 ft)

Formed: ~300,000 years ago

Status: Active

Mt. Vesuvius is the only active volcano on mainland Europe, located a short distance from the shore near Naples, Italy. It consists of one large cone in the middle of a very large caldera, formed by the collapse of an earlier and much larger volcano. It is best known for its eruption in AD 79, which led to the destruction of the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. This eruption spewed a pyroclastic flow to a height of 33 km and at a rate of 1.5 million tons of rock, ash, and gases per second. This dangerous cloud of ash and gas buried about 16,000 people, killing them instantly. Mt. Vesuvius has erupted violently many times throughout its history, and is the only volcano to have erupted on mainland Europe in the last 100 years. It is generally regarded as the most dangerous volcano in the world, because of its potential for explosive, violent eruptions, and the 3,000,000 inhabitants of nearby Naples.

Erta Ale

Location: Northeastern Ethiopia

(Africa)

Height: 613 m

(2,011 ft)

Formed: Recently(200-500 YA)

Status: Active

Erta Ale is a continuously active volcano located in Northeastern Ethiopia. It formed as a result of the Great Rift Valley, the continental divergent boundary that is slowly tearing the African continent apart. It is a mere 613 m tall, with one and sometimes two lava lakes at its summit, which sometimes overflow, releasing free flowing lava down the sides of the volcano. This broad, low volcano is one of only 6 volcanoes in the world with a lava lake at its summit, and it has the longest-existing lava lake, present since at least 1906, when it was discovered.

Not much is known about Erta Ale, both because of it was only recently discovered and because the local people are hostile to visitors. There have been 3 major eruptions since the year 2000. Erta Ale literally means “smoking mountain,” and is referred to as the “gateway to hell” by local people. The volcano was even shown in the movie Clash of the Titans during the main character’s journey to the underworld.

Paricutin

Location: Michoacan, Mexico

Height: 207 m

(682 ft)

Formed: 1942-1953

Status: Dormant

Paricutin formed very suddenly, rising to a height of 682 ft between the years of 1942-1953. This is the first time scientists have been able to witness firsthand, measure, and record the formation of a cinder cone volcano. Paricutin had an active lifespan of 9 years, killing 3 people in this time period. Paricutin formed as part of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic belt, which includes many other volcanoes.

In its first eruption, Paricutin rose 50 m high, spraying rock fragments ranging from the size of cinders to volcanic bombs, which quickly piled up into a steep cone shaped structure. It continued erupting in this fashion for 9 years, ultimately building up to a height of 2,800 m. It has not erupted since 1953, and is not likely to erupt again.

Eyjafjallajökull

Location: Myrdalsjokull, Iceland

Height: 1050 m

(3448 ft)

Formed: AD 920-1617

Status: Active

Eyjafjallajökull is an active volcano covered completely by an ice cap in Iceland. The volcano itself stands 5,417 ft tall at its highest point, with a caldera 3-4 km across at its summit. Despite the fact that it is an active volcano, its name literally means “ice cap” in Icelandic. Eyjafjallajökull is fed by a magma chamber formed by the divergent boundary between the North American and European plates.

Most of Eyjafjallajökull’s eruptions have been explosive, with its first eruptions occurring in AD 920 and 1617. Not only are its eruptions explosive, but it releases volcanic gases with large amounts of fluoride, which can be harmful to humans in large doses. Its eruption in 2010 caused electrical storms and clouds of volcanic ash that led to airplane travel being stopped through the area. It has not erupted since 2010.

Mount Takahe

Location: Antarctica

Height: 2143 m

(7,034 ft)

Formed: ~300,000 years ago?

Status: Dormant

Mount Takahe is a massive volcano located near Marie Byrd Land, Antarctica. It is roughly circular, about 29 km across, with an 8 km caldera on top. It is an isolated volcano, meaning it is the only one of its kind in the area. It is dormant, with its most recent eruption between 10,000 and 12,000 years ago. Geologists believe it could still be potentially active. Its broad, massive shape suggests that it was built from lava flows. Like the rest of the continent, Mt. Takahe is completely covered in ice. More work needs to be done to learn more about the geologic history of Mount Takahe.

Volcano Types Identification Stations

Directions: You will visit 8 stations with a fact sheet on 8 different volcanoes. Fill out the table below and identify which of the 3 types each volcano is.

Name Colored Picture Facts/Notes/Details (at least 3) Volcano Type

Name Colored Picture Facts/Notes/Details (at least 3) Volcano Type