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Exploring Volcanic Landforms: Earth’s Unique Features

Introduction #

Volcanoes, with their explosive power and transformative capabilities, offer a vivid window into the Earth’s ever-changing nature. In this exploration, we will uncover the diverse world of volcano landforms, their formation processes, and their profound influence on our planet’s topography.

Exploring Different Volcanic Landforms on Earth #

  • Understanding Volcanicity :
    • Dynamic Interplay:  Landforms created by volcanoes are the result of the dynamic interplay between the Earth’s molten core and its solid surface.
    • These geological features, shaped by fiery eruptions and the ceaseless forces beneath our feet, offer a remarkable tapestry of landscapes that stretch from the depths of the ocean to towering peaks that touch the sky .

Exploring Different Volcanic Landforms on Earth

  • Types of Volcanic Landforms 
    • Volcanic landforms are differentiated based on location of  occurrence of landforms. 
    • Generally , there are two type of volcanic landform which is inside the earth’s surface called intrusive landform and above the land surface called extrusive landform 
  • Extrusive Landforms: Landforms which are determined by the nature and composition of lava and other ejected materials  which reach the surface of the earth.
  • Volcanic cones : Volcanic cones are mound-shaped landforms that build up around a volcanic vent or crater as a result of the accumulation of lava, ash, and volcanic debris during eruptions.
    • These are most typical of extrusive volcanic landforms.
StratoVolcano
  • Large, tall, and conical-shaped volcanoes formed from multiple layers of lava, volcanic ash, and other volcanic debris, resulting in a more complex structure. 
  • Also known as composite volcanoes. 
  • Example -Mt. Fujiyama(japan) , Mt. Cotopaxi of  Ecuador
Parasite Cones 
  • Several branches of pipe come out from the main central pipe of a large volcano Lava 
  • These branches are fed by a central pipe and thus called parasite cones .
  •  Example- Mt shasta  of USA 
Shield Volcano 

/BASIC LAVA DOME 

  • Broad, gently sloping volcano with a wide, shield-like shape, primarily constructed by the flow of low-viscosity basaltic lava during effusive eruptions.
  • Hawaii volcano 

Types of Volcanoes

Lava Dome   
  • Rounded or steep-sided hill or mound formed by the slow accumulation  of highly viscous lava from a central vent.
  • similar to shield volcano except having large size 

Lava plateau : A lava plateau, also known as a volcanic plateau or basalt plateau, is a type of large, nearly flat or gently sloping landform that is primarily created by the accumulation of lava flows over a wide area.

  • These landforms are typically the result of effusive volcanic eruptions, where low-viscosity basaltic lava erupts from long fissures or cracks in the Earth’s crust, allowing the lava to spread out over a broad region.
  • Example  – Deccan Lava Plateau  , Snake  Basin USA  
  • Craters and Caldera : Volcanic craters are bowl-shaped depressions at the summit of a volcano, created by a combination of volcanic activity and geological processes.
  • When this crater is filled with water it becomes a crater lake Such as crater lake in Oregon, USA . 
  • Generally geographers believe that caldera is an enlarged form of crater which is formed due to violent and explosive volcanic eruptions.
  •  Some geographers have also pointed out that caldera is formed due to subsidence of the crater .
  • The exact answer to formation of caldera is still not known .
  • The famous example of caldera is Lake Toba of Sumatra ,Lake Aira of Japan .
  • Intrusive Landform: Intrusive landforms of volcanoes are features created beneath the Earth’s surface as a result of the cooling and solidification of magma. 
      • Unlike extrusive landforms, which are formed by volcanic material erupting and accumulating on the surface, intrusive landforms result from the emplacement of magma into pre-existing rock formations. 
      • Dikes: These are tabular or sheet-like intrusions of magma that cut across the existing rock layers. 
        • They form when magma is injected into fractures, joints, or other openings in the Earth’s crust and then solidifies. 
        • Dikes are typically vertical or near-vertical and can be found in a variety of geological settings.
  • Sills: These are horizontal or near-horizontal intrusions of magma that are parallel to the existing rock layers.
  • They form when magma is injected between layers of pre-existing rock and then cools and solidifies
  • Sills can create distinctive flat-topped ridges or outcrops.
  • Example – The great whin sill of england 
  • Laccoliths: These are lens-shaped intrusions of magma that push up overlying rock layers, creating a dome-like structure.
  • They are the result from the slow accumulation of magma beneath the Earth’s surface, causing the overlying rock to bulge upward. 
  • They can produce topographic features with a characteristic mushroom or blister shape.
  • Example -Henery mountain laccolith in usa 
  • Lopolith: These are saucer shaped/ bowl-like shapes, with a central depression where the magma has pooled and a raised rim formed by the overlying rock layers.
  • Example -Bushveld lopolith of South Africa .
  • Phacolith: It is a lens shaped mass of igneous rocks occupying the crest of an anticline or the bottom of syncline .
  •  Example – Phacolith of corndon hill in shropshire , England .

PLUTONS a VOLCANIC LANDFORMS

  •  Batholiths:  These are the largest and most massive intrusive landforms.
  • They are massive bodies of intrusive rock that extend over vast areas. 
  • Batholiths are typically composed of granite or other intrusive igneous rocks and can be exposed at the Earth’s surface due to erosion.
  • Plutons: The term “pluton” is a general term used to describe any body of intrusive igneous rock that has solidified beneath the Earth’s surface.
  • This can include dikes, sills, laccoliths, batholiths, stocks, and other intrusions.

 

  •  Pseudo Volcanic Landform: These are topographic features that resemble volcanic landforms yet they don’t have volcanic origin. 
  • They can be as followed:
Meteorite Craters
  • A crater is formed when a meteorite strikes on the Earth’s surface, creating a depression. 
  • When water accumulates, due to rain, it forms a crater lake. For instance, Lonar Lake, also known as Lonar crater, (Buldhana, Maharashtra) was created by a meteor impact during the Pleistocene Epoch.
Salt plug or salt dome
  • When underground salt deposits at high pressure become ductile and pierce through overlying sediments, creating a dome-like intrusion forced into brittle overlying rocks, it leads to formation of salt plug and salt dome. 
  • It is a salt hill that resembles a volcanic crater.
Mud-Volcanoes
  • Eruption of mud, water and gases similar to volcanic eruption which leads to the formation of mud volcanic structures/ domes.
  • Usually found near the zone of subduction and hot springs
  • Mud-volcano near oil-fields erupts with methane and other volatile hydrocarbon gases. 

Conclusion
Volcanic landforms, from cones to intrusions, reveal Earth’s ever-changing nature. Magma, eruptions, and geological forces shape our landforms, showcasing the planet’s dynamic evolution.

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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
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Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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