Geology and Minerals
Diatreme
A diatreme, sometimes known as a maar-diatreme volcano, is a volcanic pipe associated with a gaseous explosion. When magma rises up through a crack in Earth's crust and makes contact with a shallow body of groundwater, rapid expansion of heated water vapor and volcanic gases can cause a series of explosions. A relatively shallow crater (known as a maar) is left, and a rock-filled fracture (the actual diatreme) in the crust. Where diatremes breach the surface they produce a steep, inverted cone shape.
Also on this shelf
Elbrook Formation.
Flat slab subduction.
See also
- ▸Cerro Azul (Ecuador volcano)
- ▸A View of Cape Stephens in Cook's Straits with Waterspout
- ▸Cheyenne Mountain
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