Coastal & Marine Geology InfoBank

USGS CMG InfoBank: Eruptions From Rift Zones


Dictionaries:	The USGS and Science Education USGS Fact Sheets Topics Keywords Data Dictionary Metadata Dictionary Computer Terminology Digital Formats
InfoBank Terms:	Activity ID activity overview crew formal metadata lines metadata NGDC port stops project/theme region ship stations time virtual globe year
Data Types:	bathymetry geodetic positioning gravity ground penetrating radar imagery LIDAR magnetics metering equipment navigation samples seismic definitions disclaimer
Data Formats:	ARC coverage E00 FGDC metadata gridded/image imaging material scattered/swath Shapefile vector/polygon

Comment: 06:05 - 06:45 (00:40)

Source: Annenberg/CPB Resources - Earth Revealed - 13. Volcanism

Keywords: volcano, eruption, crater, "shield volcano", Hawaii, fissure, "rift zone", gravity, stress, pressure, magma, "lava flow", "summit vent", Kilauea

Our transcription: Many people think of a volcano as erupting only from a crater at its summit, but, in fact, this is not true of most volcanoes.

On a Hawaiian shield volcano, lava can issue not only from summit vents but from the flanks through long systems of fissures known as "rift zones".

Gravitational stresses acting on the side of the shield, together with the pressure from the intruding magma, cause rift zones to form.

This rift zone on Kilauea Volcano is over 50 kilometers long.

Accessibility FOIA Privacy Policies and Notices

U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/infobank/programs/html/school/moviepage/12.01.06.html
Page Contact: InfoBank staff
Page Last Modified: Tue Dec 16 06:31:02 PST 2008 (wcs)

Accessibility FOIA Privacy Policies and Notices
U.S. Department of the Interior \| U.S. Geological Survey URL: http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/infobank/programs/html/school/moviepage/12.01.06.html Page Contact: InfoBank staff Page Last Modified: Tue Dec 16 06:31:02 PST 2008 (wcs)