Sources
Help build the largest human-edited directory on the web.
Submit a site - Become an editor
Wikipedia. Licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
Are you an expert in this subject? Join the discussion and share your knowledge at Wikipedia.org.
Dormant volcano
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A dormant volcano is a volcano which is not currently erupting, but is believed to still be capable of erupting in the future. This contrasts with an extinct volcano, where it is believed that no future eruptions will ever occur.
In practice, it is often not possible to disinguish between a dormant and an extinct volcano and several volcanoes thought to be extinct have subsequently re-erupted. Volcanoes can be dormant for hundreds or thousands of years and are usually eroded and warn down, due to the lack of eruptions. The eruptions from a dormant volcano are usually very violent, because the plug inside the volcano stops the lava from coming out of the vent for a very long time and builds pressure. Then the volcano will erupt again, and then the volcano will be classified as an active volcano. The volcano can be referred to as "asleep", since it is not expected to erupt anytime in the near future. It is quite possible, however, that the volcano will eventually be active again. Dormant volcanoes sometimes have hotsprings and fumarolic activity, which is when steam and hot volcanic gases, such as sulfur dioxide are emitted.