shield volcano

[ sheeld vol-key-noh ]

noun

, Geology.

1. a volcano formed entirely from accumulated flows of fluid lava, growing a few feet at a time and giving the volcano its broad, gently sloping profile.

shield volcano

noun

1. a broad volcano built up from the repeated nonexplosive eruption of basalt to form a low dome or shield, usually having a large caldera at the summit

shield volcano

1. See under volcano

Word History and Origins

Origin of shield volcano¹

First recorded in 1910–15; translation of German Schildvulkan, from the resemblance of the volcano to an upturned circular shield

Example Sentences

The largest shield volcano on Earth, Mauna Loa in Hawaii, is only 120 kilometers wide at the base.

From Singularity Hub 

If the conduit to the magma below remains open, the Geldingadalur eruption could end up building a small shield volcano, an extremely broad magmatic mound with a very low-angle slope.

From Quanta Magazine