Strata vs. Shield Volcanoes

Strato Volcanoes

Strato Volcanoes comprise 60% of the Earth's individual volcanoes and most are characterized by eruptions of andesite and dacite - lavas that are cooler and more viscous than basalt.  Stratovolcanoes also have steep sides with cones that stick out like huge bumps. They are built up when eruptions of viscous lava, tephra, and pyroclastic flows happen. It takes thousands of years for the pressure to build up enough in stratovolcanoes to cause an eruption. More than one kind of magma builds up in stratovolcanoes. They are basalt, andesite, dacite, and rhyolite magma. All of those magmas cause explosive eruptions except basalt magma. There are a lot of different vents around stratovolcanoes. Some of the vents are cinder cones and domes low on the sides of the volcano. Sometimes stratovolcanoes are called composite cones.

Shield Volcanoes

Shield Volcanos' slopes are made by liquid basalt lava that pushes up from a vent under the ground. Shield volcanoes do not have sharp steep slopes. They are the largest volcanoes on Earth. Shield volcanoes are huge in size.  They are built by many layers of runny lava flows. Lava spills out of a central vent or group of vents. Unlike strato volcanoes shield volcanos have many openings where lava comes out.  They are also made by hotspots.



BATHOLITH

Batholith is a  large body of ingenious rock formed beneath the Earth’s surface by the intrusion and solidification of magma. It is commonly composed of coarse-grained rocks like granite or granodiorite with a surface exposure of 40 square miles or larger. A batholith has an irregular shape with side walls that incline steeply against the host rock.

What is GLOBAL WARMING

The horror of Global Warming

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Global warming is one of the most serious challenges our planet faces. Left unchecked, it will increase the severity of hurricanes, cause major flooding, and intensify desertification. Global warming is the direct result of adding too much carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. The average American releases about 20 tons of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere each year through daily activities like driving to work, turning on lights, and heating and cooling the home.

Carbon Cycle

The Carbon Cycle is a complex series of processes through which all of the carbon atoms in existence rotate. The same carbon atoms in your body today have been used in countless other molecules since time began. The wood burned just a few decades ago could have produced carbon dioxide which through photosynthesis became part of a plant. When you eat that plant, the same carbon from the wood which was burnt can become part of you. The carbon cycle is the great natural recycler of carbon atoms. Unfortunately, the extent of its importance is rarely stressed enough. Without the proper functioning of the carbon cycle, every aspect of life could be changed dramatically.