In a volcanic eruption, lava, volcanic bombs, ash, and various gases are expelled from a volcanic vent and fissure. While many eruptions only pose dangers to the immediately surrounding area, Earth's largest eruptions can have a major regional or even global impact, with some affecting the climate and contributing to mass extinctions.[1][2] Volcanic eruptions can generally be characterized as either explosive eruptions, sudden ejections of rock and ash, or effusive eruptions, relatively gentle outpourings of lava.[3] A separate list is given below for each type.
There have probably been many such eruptions during Earth's history beyond those shown in these lists. However erosion and plate tectonics have taken their toll, and many eruptions have not left enough evidence for geologists to establish their size. Even for the eruptions listed here, estimates of the volume erupted can be subject to considerable uncertainty.[4]
- ^ Roy Britt, Robert (8 March 2005). "Super Volcano Will Challenge Civilization, Geologists Warn". LiveScience. Archived from the original on 23 March 2012. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
- ^ Self, Steve. "Flood basalts, mantle plumes and mass extinctions". Geological Society of London. Archived from the original on 29 February 2012. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
- ^ "Effusive & Explosive Eruptions". Geological Society of London. Archived from the original on 11 October 2013. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
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