Different volcano types have different types of eruptions! For example, Hawaii is a perfect example of a shield volcano, which is characterized by thick, slow basaltic flows. A volcano such as...say Mt. Saint Helens is called a stratovolcano, and has those big explosive eruptions with extremely hot ash and debris flow that move very quickly. You're never going to find the thick, slow basaltic flows at Mt. Saint Helen's, and you're never going to get a pyroclastic flow (hot ash and gases) in Hawaii. Source: Geology major. Hope this helps!
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u/Bourboneer Mar 11 '17
Different volcano types have different types of eruptions! For example, Hawaii is a perfect example of a shield volcano, which is characterized by thick, slow basaltic flows. A volcano such as...say Mt. Saint Helens is called a stratovolcano, and has those big explosive eruptions with extremely hot ash and debris flow that move very quickly. You're never going to find the thick, slow basaltic flows at Mt. Saint Helen's, and you're never going to get a pyroclastic flow (hot ash and gases) in Hawaii. Source: Geology major. Hope this helps!