shield volcano

noun

: a broad rounded volcano that is built up by successive outpourings of very fluid lava see volcano illustration

Examples of shield volcano in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Be sure to do the Frigate Bird Hill hike on San Cristobal, and on Isabela, hit the trails around Sierra Negra, an active shield volcano and one of the world's largest craters. Maya Kachroo-Levine, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2024 The volcano also hosts a number of acidic lakes in the craters at the summit of the shield volcano. Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 25 Sep. 2017 The internal structure of this shield volcano is today exposed in the Timpe fault scarps between Acireale and Moscarello. Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 20 Nov. 2019 Mauna Kea, a shield volcano in Hawaii, is technically the world's tallest mountain from base to peak. Jacob Livesay, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2023 The 2018 eruption changed the game at the massive shield volcano that had been erupting for over 35 years prior to the fissures opening in Leilani Estates. Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 22 Apr. 2020 The shield volcano, a broad and gently sloping variety, began sending fiery yellow fountains of lava into the air starting around 4:44 a.m. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 June 2023 Types of volcanoes Mauna Loa is a shield volcano, built up over thousands of years through lava eruptions. Rachel Beane, The Conversation, 1 May 2023 The summit of this massive shield volcano is drivable. Kyle Ellison, Travel + Leisure, 18 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shield volcano.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shield volcano was in 1911

Dictionary Entries Near shield volcano

Cite this Entry

“Shield volcano.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shield%20volcano. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

shield volcano

noun
: a broad rounded volcano that is built up from many layers of lava

More from Merriam-Webster on shield volcano

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!