Volcanism

This article is about the process that forms volcanoes and igneous rocks. For the 18th century geological theory, see Plutonism. For the landforms created by these processes, see Volcano.

Volcanism, vulcanism, volcanicity, or volcanic activity is the phenomenon where solids, liquids, gases, and their mixtures erupt to the surface of a solid-surface astronomical body such as a planet or a moon.[1] It is caused by the presence of a heat source, usually internally generated, inside the body; the heat is generated by various processes, such as radioactive decay or tidal heating. This heat partially melts solid material in the body or turns material into gas. The mobilized material rises through the body's interior and may break through the solid surface.[2][3]

  1. ^ Xiao, Long; Huang, Jun; Xiao, Zhiyong; Qi, Chao; Qian, Yuqi (August 14, 2023). "Volcanism in the Solar System". Science China Earth Sciences. 66 (11): 2419–2440. Bibcode:2023ScChD..66.2419X. doi:10.1007/s11430-022-1085-y.
  2. ^ "Volcanoes on Earth and beyond". Universe Space Tech. 27 October 2021. Retrieved 2024-03-17.
  3. ^ Melosh, H. Jay (2011). "Volcanism". Planetary Surface Processes. Cambridge University Press. pp. 169–221. doi:10.1017/CBO9780511977848.006. ISBN 978-0-521-51418-7.