s n o i s lo p x E d n a Fountains Stratovolcanoes The magma at convergent faults, where stratovolcanoes form, can be thick and sticky. It blocks the volcano’s vent until the pressure from the magma chamber becomes too great, and the volcano erupts in a huge explosion.
In 1991, Mount Pinatubo, a stratovolcano in the Philippines, erupted. The collapse of the top of the volcano caused by the eruption took 984 feet (300 meters) off the top of the mountain.
12
V
olcanic eruptions are not all the same. Some are gentle while others can be explosive. Each type of eruption builds different kinds of volcanoes. Gentle eruptions, which happen at divergent faults and hot spots, build shield volcanoes. These are wide and low with sloping sides, like an upside-down plate. Shield volcanoes erupt frequently. Explosive eruptions, which happen at convergent faults, build steep-sided, cone-shaped volcanoes called stratovolcanoes. These volcanoes erupt only rarely, and the eruptions are usually violent and dangerous. Go ahead! Show us what you can do! Don’t tempt me!
