What is the magma composition of a shield volcano?

Shield volcanoes are almost exclusively basalt, a type of lava that is very fluid when erupted. read more

Most magma originating from a shield volcano would be known as A’a. These magma flows have a high fluidity due to their basaltic nature. The high basalt composition can come from any material the magma passes through such as the crust, upper mantle, magma chambers, or the neck of the volcano itself. As long as there is enough of the basalt to get added to the magma it will go on to form shield volcanoes. read more

A shield volcano is the largest kind of volcano that erupts a thin, low-viscosity, basaltic lava gently and over a large area. Basaltic lava is a type of lava that has a low viscosity, while viscosity is a measure of the ability of a fluid to flow. read more

Most magma originating from a shield volcano would be known as A’a. These magma flows have a high fluidity due to their basaltic nature. The high basalt composition can come from any material the magma passes through such as the crust, upper mantle, magma chambers, or the neck of the volcano itself. read more

A shield volcano is a type of volcano usually composed almost entirely of fluid lava flows. It is named for its low profile, resembling a warrior's shield lying on the ground. This is caused by the highly fluid lava erupted, which travels farther than lava erupted from a stratovolcano, and results in the steady accumulation of broad sheets of lava, building up the shield volcano's distinctive form. read more