Is there a difference between the ways that the three types of volcanoes erupt? If there is what is it and how does it effect the world? What are the three types of volcanoes? Is there a project or experiment that I can do for the science fair with this information?

rocky Elena Alschuler

Dear Elena,

Shield volcanoes, cinder cones, and stratovolcanoes form from different types of eruptions. Shields form by the gently pouring out of lava. Cinder cones form by small explosions that throw droplets of lava a few hundred yards in the air. Stratovolcanoes form from larger explosions that throw ash many miles in the air and from sticky lava that does not travel far from the vent.

To learn about how volcanoes effect the world see question 73 in 12. Volcanoes in General in Ask a Volcanologist.

I'm sorry but part of your science fair project is designing your own experiment. Hopefully a look through VolcanoWorld might give you some ideas.

Steve Mattox, University of North Dakota 

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