Introduction
A volcano is a sudden and abrupt explosion in the crust of the Earth through which magma, gas, dust, smoke, and solid material is ejected. Cinder cones are a type of volcano.
What is a cinder cone volcano?
Also known as Scoria cone volcanoes, are the most widespread type of volcano found across the world. They have a bowl-shaped crater at the top and on the sides. They are the smallest in size compared to other types of volcanoes and usually rise up to 1000 feet.
Characteristics
- They have gentle slopes, and the summit is cone-shaped.
- They are symmetrical in shape.
- They have a height of 300-1200 ft, which is low compared to other volcanoes.
- Cinder cone volcanoes are made up of igneous rocks.
- They have one opening or vent from which the lava flows out.
- Cinder cone volcanoes build up over months or even years.
Stages of a cinder cone volcano
The formation of cinder cones is initiated due to the accumulation of finer particles around volcanic vents in the form of a tiny mound, say ‘ant mound, which varies in height. The size of the cone gradually increases due to the continuous accumulation of volcanic materials minus lava.
They are formed stepwise
- An explosive eruption from gas rapidly expands and escapes from molten lava.
- The cone forms due to cinders falling back into the cone.
- Then, a final explosion takes place, leaving a funnel-shaped crater on top of the cone.
- Lastly, molten magma and rocks pour out of the surface, and lava flows down the slopes.
- Lava doesn’t generally flow from the top of the cinder; instead, it comes out of the side vents.
Cinder cone volcanoes are, on average, less susceptible to erosion and hence they maintain their original form for hundreds of years, provided they are not destroyed by ensuing explosions.
Examples of a cinder cone volcano
There are various cinder cone volcanoes found across the world. They are mentioned below (1)
1. North America
- Canada
- Tseax Cone, British Columbia
- Ibex Mountain, Yukon
- Mexico
- EL Jorullo
- Pinacate Peaks, Mexico
- United States
- Amboy Crater, California
- Cinder cone and the fantastic lava beds, California.
2. South America
- Peru
- Central volcanic zone, Andagua volcanic field.
- Cerro Nicholson.
- Chile
- EL Rojo Norte
- Puna Pau
3. Asia
- Japan
- Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima
- Mount Omuro, Izu-Tobu, Honshu
- Philippines
- Camiguin of Luzon island.
- Smith volcano
- Russia
- Balagan-Tas, Sakha Republic
- Kostakan, Kamchatka peninsula
- Turkey
- Kula
- Karapinar
4. Europe
- Puy de Pariou, Auvergne, France
- Hverfjall, Myvatn,Iceland
- Monte Nuovo, Italy
5. Oceania
- Australia
- Mount Leura, Victoria
- Mount Fox, Queensland
- New Zealand
- Maungakiekie, One Tree Hill
- Mount Tongariro
The world’s largest cinder cone volcano
The world’s largest cinder cone volcano is in Mexico. Mount Paricutin grew out of a cornfield in Mexico in 1943 in a new vent. Its height is 424 meters (1,391 ft).
Types of lava of a cinder cone volcano
There are mainly two types of lava eruptions in cinder cone volcanoes. They are-
1. Basaltic lava
- It has low viscosity(resistance to flow) because of low silica content.
- They are dark-coloured basalt, rich in iron and magnesium.
- Basaltic lava flows quickly and easily.
- Basaltic lava allows volcanic gases to escape without generating an enormous eruption.
- Basaltic lavas are thin and very fluid when they erupt.
- The temperature of basaltic lava is 1832 to 2282 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Andesitic lava
- The temperature of andesitic lava is 1742 to 2192 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Also known as acidic lava, they are highly viscous with a high melting point.
- They flow slowly and generally travel a shorter distance before solidifying because of the high percentage of silica.
- They are light-coloured, have low density.
- They cause huge explosions and are destructive in nature.
Q&A
1. What is a cinder cone-type volcano?
Also known as ash volcanoes, cinder cones are a type of volcano. They form around a volcanic vent, pouring out pyroclastic materials.
2. Is a cinder cone the smallest volcano?
Yes, cinder cone volcanoes are one of the most common volcano types. They rarely reach a height of 300 meters and are the smallest type of volcano.
3. Do cinder cone volcanoes erupt suddenly?
Cinder cone volcanoes mainly consist of basaltic lava, where a small explosion can be seen but generally for shorter durations.
4. When did the last cinder cone volcano erupt?
An active cinder cone volcano is Cerro Negro in Nicaragua, Central America. Its latest eruption was in 1999.
Summary
- Cinder cone volcanoes are also known as scoria cones.
- They have steep slopes because of the accumulation of pyroclastic materials.
- Cinder cones are typically between 200-500 meters in height.
- They are one of the most common and smallest types of volcanoes.
- Cinder cones are found clustered together, which indicates volcanic eruptions from the same volcanic vent.
- Due to the small size of cinder cone volcanoes, they generally erode easily by weathering and mass wasting.
- Cinder cone volcanoes are formed by two types of lava- basaltic and andesitic.
- A few notable cinder cone volcanoes are-
- Paricutin, Mexico
- capulin, United States of America
- Negro ,Cerro,Nicaragua
- Nishinoshima, Japan
References
- S.Lal. Physical Geography. Sharda Pustak Bhavan, Allahabad. Chapter 5- Vulcanicity and Volcanoes, Page no. 45-62.
- R.Khullar.ISC Geography.Kalyani Publishers, Kolkata.Chapter 08-Volcanoes and earthquakes, Page no. 120-149.
- Savindra Singh.Geomorphology.Pravalika Publications, Allahabad.Chapter 12-Vulcanicity and landforms, Page no. 200-215.
