My daughter asked what a volcano "neck" was, so I checked both the
Grolier and Compton's Encyclopedia and came up with nothing.
Ben McCormick
Hi Mr. McCormick,
A volcanic "neck" is a term used for the central plumbing system of an old
volcano, that has been exposed by erosion. Often the magma in the centeral
plumbing system cools slowly because it is cooling beneath the surface (as
opposed to the flows on the flank that cool on the surface). These
slower-cooled rocks tend to be more resistent to erosion. Therefore, after the
volcano has become extinct and is highly eroded, the flanks get eroded to a
greater degree than the old plumbing system. This leaves the "neck" standing
exposed. Probably the best example of this is Ship Rock, which I think is in Utah.
Sincerely,
Scott Rowland, University of Hawaii
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