Name: __KEY__________________________ Date: _____________________
Volcano Vocabulary
1.
magma – molten rock beneath the surface of the earth
2.
magma chamber – underground cavity containing the gas-rich liquid magma which feeds a volcano
3.
lava – magma which has reached the surface in a volcanic eruption
4.
conduit – a tunnel-like passage under the earth allowing the flow of magma
5.
central vent – an opening at the Earth's surface at the top of a volcanic conduit; cylindrical in shape
6.
pahoehoe – a Hawaiian term for the type of lava with a smooth, billowy, ropy surface
7.
block – angular or rectangular chunk of solid rock ejecta during an eruption
8.
domes – steep –sided mass of viscous (doughy) lava extruded from a volcanic vent. Often circular in shape, and
somewhat rounded or flat on top.
9.
spatter cones – a low, steep-sided cone of splatter material built up on a fissure or vent. Similar to deposits found in
caves in shape.
10. lava tubes – tunnel formed when the surface of a lava flow cools and solidifies leaving a hollow interior through which
still molten lava flows. Above ground.
11. pyroclastic flow – combination of a turbulent mixture of hot gases, crystals, ash, pumice, glass shards, etc. that can
be ejected at 50-100 mph
12. volcanic ash – fine particles of pulverized rock blown from a volcanic vent. They may be solid or molten when first
ejected.
13. volcanic bombs – (Lava Bombs) – Fragments of molten or semi-molten rock, 2ft to many feet in diameter; blown out
during an eruption
14. tephra – materials of all types and sizes that are ejected from the crater or a volcanic vent and deposited into the air
15. pumice – light weight, light-colored, frothy volcanic rock formed by the expansion of gases in erupting lava, leaving
holes in the rock.
16. A a - Hawaiian word used to describe a lava flow whose surface is broken into rough angular fragments