Mr. Goldsmith described the eruption of Mt. Mayon in the Philippines. He discussed great explosions very high into the air of both lava and pyroclastic flow. What type of volcano, magma, and eruption was most likely involved?

Question

shield volcano, andesitic magma, and plinian explosion
cinder cone volcano, rhyolitic magma, and Hawaiian explosion
composite volcano, rhyolitic magma, and plinian explosion
composite volcano, basaltic magma, and plinian explosion

Answer 1

The correct choice based on the description of Mt. Mayon's eruption would be:

composite volcano, rhyolitic magma, and plinian explosion.

Composite volcanoes, also known as stratovolcanoes, are characterized by their steep profiles and are formed from alternating layers of lava flows, volcanic ash, and other volcanic debris. They typically erupt explosively, and plinian eruptions are one of the most powerful types of explosive eruptions, characterized by high columns of ash and pyroclastic material.

Mt. Mayon is known for its explosive eruptions and typically produces andesitic to rhyolitic magma, fitting the characteristics of a composite volcano with plinian-style eruptions.