GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Where a volcano produces low viscosity, runny lava, it spreads far from the source and forms a volcano with gentle slopes: a shield volcano. Most shield volcanoes are formed from fluid, basaltic lava flows. Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa are shield volcanoes.

Detailed explanation-2: -Shield volcanoes, the third type of volcano, are built almost entirely of fluid lava flows. Flow after flow pours out in all directions from a central summit vent, or group of vents, building a broad, gently sloping cone of flat, domical shape, with a profile much like that of a warrior’s shield.

Detailed explanation-3: -A shield volcano is a broad volcano with shallow inclining sides. Shield volcanoes are formed from many magma flows of low viscosity. The magma flows out of the vent and slides down the slopes of the volcano and builds up the size.

Detailed explanation-4: -Shield volcanoes occur anywhere where there is basaltic (and sometimes andesitic) volcanism, including at oceanic hot spot tracks such as in the Hawaiian Islands. They may also be present at mid-ocean spreading ridges.

Detailed explanation-5: -Shield Volcanoes. Shield volcanoes are almost exclusively made up of fluid lava flows that can travel great distances from their vents. Shields are massive volcanoes with gentle slopes. Eruptions are usually effusive and may occur at the summit area and along fissures located along their flanks.