vulcanology
Study of eruptions
Vulcanology is the scientific study of volcanoes—their formation, eruption patterns, and geological effects.
Also spelled volcanology.
A practitioner is a vulcanologist: Vulcanologists monitor seismic activity to predict eruptions.
Hot eruption debris
- ashfallAirborne volcanic debris descending
- plumeOrnamental feather or rising column
- ventOpening for airflow
- explosiveProne to sudden detonation
caldera · tephra · lahar · mudflow · pumice · scoria · fumarole · geyser
Collapsed volcanic summit basin
- craterImpact or volcanic basin
- stratovolcanoLayered cone-shaped volcanic mountain
- cinder coneSteep volcanic debris hill
- hotspotArea of notable activity
- basalticOf dark volcanic rock
- viscosityFluid's flow resistance
- plutonicDeep-crystallized igneous rock
- intrusiveInvading others' privacy
crystallization · magma chamber · convection · melting · solidus · mantle · partial melting · differentiation
Fine-grained volcanic stone
- aaSharp, blocky lava flow
- obsidianGlassy igneous rock
- andesiteIntermediate volcanic rock
- rhyolitePale volcanic igneous rock
lava tube · lava lake · lava flow · lava dome · lava fountain · cooling · solidification · columnar jointing
Study of Earth's composition
- petrologyScientific study of rocks
- geochemistryEarth's chemical makeup science
- geophysicsPhysics of planetary structure
- tectonicsStudy of crustal deformation
plate boundaries · subduction · lithosphere · asthenosphere · geomorphology · mineralogy · remote sensing · geothermal
Involuntary rhythmic shaking
- seismographEarthquake measuring device
- seismometerDetects ground vibrations
- swarmMass of moving insects
- P-waveLongitudinal seismic wave
S-wave · GPS monitoring · precursor · conduit · inflation · deflation
pyroclastic
Hot eruption debris
- ashfallAirborne volcanic debris descending
- plumeOrnamental feather or rising column
- ventOpening for airflow
explosive · caldera · tephra · lahar · mudflow · pumice · scoria · fumarole · geyser · ash cloud
caldera
Collapsed volcanic summit basin
- craterImpact or volcanic basin
- stratovolcanoLayered cone-shaped volcanic mountain
- cinder coneSteep volcanic debris hill
molten rock
intrusive · crystallization · magma chamber · convection · melting · solidus · mantle · partial melting · differentiation · magmatic
basalt
Fine-grained volcanic stone
rhyolite · lava tube · lava lake · lava flow · lava dome · lava fountain · cooling · solidification · columnar jointing · breakout
geology
Study of Earth's composition
- petrologyScientific study of rocks
- geochemistryEarth's chemical makeup science
- geophysicsPhysics of planetary structure
tectonics · plate boundaries · subduction · lithosphere · asthenosphere · geomorphology · mineralogy · remote sensing · geothermal · monitoring
tremor
Involuntary rhythmic shaking
- seismographEarthquake measuring device
- seismometerDetects ground vibrations
- swarmMass of moving insects
P-wave · S-wave · GPS monitoring · precursor · conduit · inflation · deflation
- geologybedrock, fault lines, faults, rock, basalt
vulcanologyglaciology
Study of ice masses
seismology · oceanography · hydrology · meteorology · petrology