Thought Questions

1.

What might be the effects on civilization of a Yellowstone-type caldera eruption, such as the one described at the opening of this chapter?

2.

Give a few examples of what geologists have learned about Earth’s interior by studying volcanoes and volcanic rocks.

3.

Why are eruptions of stratovolcanoes generally more explosive than those of shield volcanoes?

4.

While on a field trip, you come across a volcanic formation that resembles a field of sandbags. The individual ellipsoidal forms have a smooth, glassy surface texture. What type of lava is this, and what information does this give you about its history?

5.

Why are the volcanoes on the northwestern side of the island of Hawaii dormant whereas those on the southeastern side are more active?

6.

How do interactions between volcanic geosystems and the climate system increase volcanic hazards?

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