Components of an Eruption

The obvious component of a volcanic eruption is lava. If the lava is low in silica content and
a smooth skin with some wrinkles form as the top lyyer begins to cool while the underneath
layers continue to flow, this is called a pahoehoe (puh-hoy-hoy) flow. If the lava is rough
with jagged edges, it is known as an aa (ah-ah) flow.

Pahoehoe Lava Flow

Aa Lava Flow

The second component of a volcanic eruption is dissolved gas. Estimates of gas content is
approximately 1% to 6%. It is very difficult to test because of the dangers involved. The
gases (water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, sulfur, chlorine, hydrogen, and argon) are
released when the pressure on the magma decreases. If is believed that the gases from
volcanoes are responsible for our atmospheric gases.

Finally, pyroclastic material are ejected during volcanic eruptions. Pyroclastic materials
include any rock ejected out of a volcano, including bombs, blocks and ash. White hot ash
and dust are produced as the gas moves through the volcano's vent. As the gas ascends, it
expands creating a froth or foam. After an explosion, settled dust and ash particles fuse
together to form a rock type called welded tuff.
Pyroclastic cloud from Una Una
The Black Region is Welded Tuff

Classification of Pyroclastic Material

Classification is done by particle size

o lapilli - small bead to walnut-sized particles

o cinders - 2 to 64 mm
o blocks - > 64 mm (2.5 inches)
o bombs - larger amounts of ejected lava that cools as it travels through the air
Lapilli

Cinders
Blocks
Bombs

Landformations Associated with Volcanoes

Calderas
Caldera without water

Caldera with water

Calderas are circular depressions over 1 km in diamter resulting from a collapse of a

volcano's summit. If the caldera is less than 1 km wide it is called a collapse pit.

How Calderas Form

1. The summit of a composite cone collapses.

2. A shield volcano collapses from drainage of the magma chamber.
3. A large area collapses after the discharge of material along a ring fracture.

Fissures

Fractures in the flanks of a volcano. These long narrow cracks are responsible for releasing
large amounts of lava and increasing the distance it can cover.

Volcanic Pipes

These short structures connect a magma chamber to the surface.

Volcanic Necks

These structures form as a result of magma hardening in a volcanic pipe and the surrounding
rock is eroded away.