Glossary of Volcanic Terms

A scientist from the Hawaii Volcanoes Observatory monitoring gas emissions at Mauna Loa (2005).

USGS photo.

Introduction

Every professional field has its own specialized language, and the study of volcanoes, volcanic processes, volcanic rocks, and volcanic deposits is no different.

The terms in this glossary are adapted when possible from the glossary of geologic terms for Geologic Resources Inventory (GRI) publications. The glossary of geologic terms is largely based on definitions in the Glossary of Geology, 5th edition.

Some definitions in the GRI glossary were adjusted in order to be specific to volcanic resources. Many volcanic terms that are not in the GRI glossary were added to this one. The definitions in this glossary match how the terminology was used throughout the NPS volcanoes subject site.

Volcano Glossary

Volcano Glossary

Word	Definition

Sources

Terms in the volcano glossary were prepared to accompany the Volcanoes, Craters & Lava Flows website. Primary sources, include:

• NPS Geologic Resources Inventory—Glossary of Geologic Terms

• Neuendorf, K. K. E., J. P. Mehl Jr., and J. A. Jackson. 2005. Glossary of geology. Fifth edition. American Geological Institute, Alexandria, Virginia.

• USGS Volcano Hazards Program—Visual Glossary

• USGS Volcano Hazards Program—Glossary

• Neuendorf, K. K. E., J. P. Mehl Jr., and J. A. Jackson. 2005. Glossary of geology. Fifth edition. American Geological Institute, Alexandria, Virginia.

• Haraldur Sigurdsson, Bruce Houghton, Hazel Rymer, John Stix, Steve McNutt. 1999. Encyclopedia of Volcanoes. 1st edition. Elsevier.

• Oregon State University—Volcano World - Definitions

• Other professional sources

Related Links

• NPS—Glossary of Geologic Terms

• The American Geosciences Institute

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  Volcano Types in Parks
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  Anatomy of a Volcano