Volcanology Vocabulary

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Instructions: Explore the fiery vocabulary of volcanology, from eruption types and lava flows to volcanic formations and tectonic forces.

1.
What is 'magma'?
A
Solidified lava
B
Steam from a geyser
C
Molten rock beneath the Earth's surface
D
Volcanic ash in the air
2.
What is the difference between 'magma' and 'lava'?
A
There is no difference
B
Lava is hotter than magma
C
Magma is molten rock below the surface; lava is molten rock that has reached the surface
D
Magma is found only in oceans
3.
What is a 'caldera'?
A
A stream of lava
B
A volcanic island
C
A small volcanic hill
D
A large crater formed by the collapse of a volcano after an eruption
4.
What does 'pyroclastic flow' refer to?
A
A gentle lava stream
B
Volcanic rain
C
An underwater eruption
D
A fast-moving current of hot gas, ash, and volcanic rock that flows down a volcano's slopes
5.
What is 'tephra'?
A
A type of volcanic rock found only underwater
B
Fragments of rock and other material ejected into the air by a volcanic eruption
C
The core of a volcano
D
Cooled lava on the ocean floor
6.
What is a 'fumarole'?
A
An opening in the Earth's surface that emits steam and volcanic gases
B
A volcanic lake
C
A type of volcano
D
A lava tube
7.
What is 'pumice'?
A
A type of gem found near volcanoes
B
Hardened volcanic mud
C
A light, porous volcanic rock formed from frothy lava that can float on water
D
A mineral found in granite
8.
What is a 'shield volcano'?
A
A volcano surrounded by a moat
B
A volcano that never erupts
C
A volcano with steep sides
D
A broad, gently sloping volcano built by fluid lava flows, like those in Hawaii
9.
What does 'dormant' mean when describing a volcano?
A
Completely extinct
B
Erupting violently
C
Currently inactive but capable of erupting again in the future
D
Continuously releasing lava
10.
What is a 'lahar'?
A
A type of volcanic crystal
B
A destructive mudflow of volcanic debris and water
C
A volcanic explosion
D
A stream of underground lava
11.
What is 'obsidian'?
A
A type of volcanic gas
B
A type of volcanic soil
C
A dark, glassy volcanic rock formed when lava cools very rapidly
D
A mineral found only in calderas
12.
What is the 'Ring of Fire'?
A
A type of lava formation
B
A hot spring in Iceland
C
A horseshoe-shaped zone around the Pacific Ocean known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions
D
A single volcano
13.
What is a 'stratovolcano'?
A
A flat volcano
B
An underwater volcano
C
A tall, steep volcano built up by alternating layers of lava, ash, and rock, like Mount Fuji
D
A volcano made entirely of ash
14.
What is 'volcanic ash'?
A
Fine particles of pulverized rock and glass ejected during a volcanic eruption
B
Soot from lava burning vegetation
C
Burnt wood from forest fires
D
Sand found near volcanoes
15.
What is a 'geyser'?
A
A type of volcano
B
A hot spring that periodically erupts, sending a column of water and steam into the air
C
A crack in the Earth's crust
D
A pool of molten lava

Answer Key

Question 1

C. Molten rock beneath the Earth's surface

Question 2

C. Magma is molten rock below the surface; lava is molten rock that has reached the surface

Question 3

D. A large crater formed by the collapse of a volcano after an eruption

Question 4

D. A fast-moving current of hot gas, ash, and volcanic rock that flows down a volcano's slopes

Question 5

B. Fragments of rock and other material ejected into the air by a volcanic eruption

Question 6

A. An opening in the Earth's surface that emits steam and volcanic gases

Question 7

C. A light, porous volcanic rock formed from frothy lava that can float on water

Question 8

D. A broad, gently sloping volcano built by fluid lava flows, like those in Hawaii

Question 9

C. Currently inactive but capable of erupting again in the future

Question 10

B. A destructive mudflow of volcanic debris and water

Question 11

C. A dark, glassy volcanic rock formed when lava cools very rapidly

Question 12

C. A horseshoe-shaped zone around the Pacific Ocean known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions

Question 13

C. A tall, steep volcano built up by alternating layers of lava, ash, and rock, like Mount Fuji

Question 14

A. Fine particles of pulverized rock and glass ejected during a volcanic eruption

Question 15

B. A hot spring that periodically erupts, sending a column of water and steam into the air

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