Classification & Features
Geography: Cambridge International GCSE (2027 Exams), topic 4.2.4
Volcano Classification and Main Features
Classification and key parts of volcanoes include active, dormant, extinct types and features like crater, vent, magma, magma chamber, and secondary cone.
Volcano classification
- Volcanoes are active, dormant, or extinct.
- Active volcanoes erupt regularly or show signs of activity.
- Dormant volcanoes have not erupted recently but may erupt again.
- Extinct volcanoes have not erupted for thousands of years and are unlikely to erupt.
The crater
- The crater is the bowl-shaped depression at the volcano's summit.
- Magma and volcanic gases erupt through the crater.
- The crater forms from explosive eruptions or collapse after magma empties.
The vent
- The vent is the main passage for magma to reach the surface.
- The vent connects the magma chamber below to the crater above.
- Volcanoes have a central vent and sometimes secondary vents.
Magma and magma chamber
- Magma is molten rock beneath the Earth's surface.
- The magma chamber is a large underground pool of magma under the volcano.
- Pressure builds in the magma chamber before an eruption occurs.
Secondary cone
- A secondary cone forms from lava and ash piling up around a secondary vent.
- Secondary vent creates smaller cones on the sides of the main volcano.
- Secondary cones show multiple eruption points on a single volcano.
Test yourself on Classification & Features
Where does pressure build before a volcanic eruption?
What is the main role of the vent in a volcano?