GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Basalt plateau refers to an extensive, thick, smooth flow or succession of flows of high-temperature, fluid basalt erupted from fissures, flooding topographic lows, and accumulated to form a plateau. It is the least explosive type of volcano.

Detailed explanation-2: -The six eruption types are in order from least explosive to the most explosive; Icelandic, Hawaiian, Strombolian, Vulcanian, Pelean, and Plinian.

Detailed explanation-3: -A shield volcano is a type of volcano named for its low profile, resembling a warrior’s shield lying on the ground. It is formed by the eruption of highly fluid (low viscosity) lava, which travels farther and forms thinner flows than the more viscous lava erupted from a stratovolcano.

Detailed explanation-4: -Shield volcanoes spew lava that is comparatively thinner and runnier than stratovolcanoes. The result is that gas can more easily escape, so their eruptions tend to be less dramatic.

Detailed explanation-5: -Stratovolcanoes are more likely to produce explosive eruptions due to gas building up in the viscous magma. Andesite (named after the Andes Mountains), is perhaps the most common rock type of stratovolcanoes, but stratovolcanoes also erupt a wide range of different rocks in different tectonic settings.