News Context
Hawaii’s Kīlauea Volcano Erupts (October 2025): Lava spewed up to 330 feet into the sky. Kīlauea is one of the world’s most active and closely monitored shield volcanoes.
February 13, 2025 | livescience.com
Definition
Shield Volcanoes are broad, gently sloping volcanic landforms built primarily by the eruption of low-viscosity basaltic lava, which spreads widely and solidifies into thin layers.
Key Characteristics
- Gentle slopes (2°–10°)
- Large base area, dome-shaped profile
- Formed by basaltic magma (low silica, low viscosity)
- Non-explosive (effusive) eruptions
- Commonly found at hot spots and divergent plate boundaries
Major Shield Volcanoes of the World
1. North America (Hawaii, USA)
| Volcano | Key Facts |
|---|
| Mauna Loa | Largest active volcano on Earth; covers more than 50% of Hawaii Island; last eruption in 2022. |
| Kīlauea | Among the most active volcanoes globally; located on the southeastern flank of Mauna Loa. |
| Mauna Kea | Dormant; tallest mountain in the world when measured from base (underwater) to summit. |
| Hualālai | Dormant but potentially active volcano on Hawaii Island. |
| Kohala | Oldest of the five major Hawaiian volcanoes. |
2. South America (Galápagos Islands, Ecuador)
The Galápagos Islands are entirely formed by shield volcanoes.
Major examples include:
- Sierra Negra
- Fernandina
- Cerro Azul
- Wolf Volcano
3. Africa
| Volcano | Country | Remarks |
|---|
| Erta Ale | Ethiopia | Active basaltic shield volcano; hosts a permanent lava lake. |
| Nyamuragira | Democratic Republic of Congo | Highly active volcano in the Virunga Range. |
| Mount Marsabit | Kenya | Extinct shield volcano. |
| Mount Elgon | Kenya–Uganda border | Extinct volcano with a large caldera. |
4. Asia
| Volcano | Location | Remarks |
|---|
| Barren Island | Andaman Sea, India | Only active volcano in India (stratovolcanic with shield base). |
| Arunachala Hill | Tamil Nadu, India | Ancient eroded shield structure. |
| Mount Abu | Rajasthan, India | Extinct shield-type volcanic origin. |
| Hallasan (Jeju Island) | South Korea | Basaltic shield volcano forming the island. |
5. Oceania / Pacific Region
| Volcano | Location | Remarks |
|---|
| Tamu Massif | Northwest Pacific Ocean | Largest known shield volcano on Earth; mostly submerged. |
| Savai’i | Samoa | Large shield volcano forming the island. |
| Mount Wrangell | Alaska, USA (Pacific margin) | Shield-type volcano with caldera features. |
6. Europe
| Volcano | Country | Remarks |
|---|
| Skjaldbreiður | Iceland | Classic example of a shield volcano; name means “broad shield.” |
| Trölladyngja | Iceland | Largest shield volcano in Iceland. |
| Askja | Iceland | Partly shield-type volcano with a central caldera. |
7. Antarctica
- Mount Sidley: Highest dormant volcano in Antarctica; ice-covered shield structure.
8. Beyond Earth
| Volcano | Planet | Remarks |
|---|
| Olympus Mons | Mars | Largest volcano in the solar system; a massive shield volcano. |
