Thought Questions

Question 12.8

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

Question 12.9

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

Question 12.10

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

Question 12.11

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?

Question 12.12

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

Question 12.13

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

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