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You know what it looks like… but what is it called?
TAKE THE QUIZshield volcano
noun
: a broad rounded volcano that is built up by successive outpourings of very fluid lava see volcano illustration
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Kīlauea, a 4,091-foot-tall shield volcano, is located on the southeastern side of the island of Hawai’i.
Nora Mcgreevy, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 May 2020
In a separate project, scientists recently identified the world’s largest shield volcano in the Hawaiian Islands, which is barely visible above the waters of the Pacific.
Fox News, 16 June 2020
Scientists have identified the world’s largest shield volcano in the Hawaiian Islands, which is barely visible above the waters of the Pacific.
Fox News, 15 May 2020
This simmering cauldron atop one of the five shield volcanoes that form the Big Island of Hawaii has inspired ritual and reverence for generations.
George W. Stone, National Geographic, 16 Aug. 2019
On land, this is generally how shield volcanoes form.
William W. Sager, Scientific American, 1 May 2020
Often these volcanoes are a type of long, sloping volcano called a shield volcano.
Jennifer Leman, Popular Mechanics, 18 Nov. 2019
The western slope rises slowly toward the summit of Ok, a low shield volcano shrouded in mist.
Lacy M. Johnson, The New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2016
Every nine months, on average, Réunion’s shield volcano, Piton de la Fournaise, puts on an amazing show of pyrotechnics.
Katie Knorovsky, National Geographic, 23 Apr. 2019
See More
Nora Mcgreevy, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 May 2020
In a separate project, scientists recently identified the world’s largest shield volcano in the Hawaiian Islands, which is barely visible above the waters of the Pacific.
Fox News, 16 June 2020
Scientists have identified the world’s largest shield volcano in the Hawaiian Islands, which is barely visible above the waters of the Pacific.
Fox News, 15 May 2020
This simmering cauldron atop one of the five shield volcanoes that form the Big Island of Hawaii has inspired ritual and reverence for generations.
George W. Stone, National Geographic, 16 Aug. 2019
On land, this is generally how shield volcanoes form.
William W. Sager, Scientific American, 1 May 2020
Often these volcanoes are a type of long, sloping volcano called a shield volcano.
Jennifer Leman, Popular Mechanics, 18 Nov. 2019
The western slope rises slowly toward the summit of Ok, a low shield volcano shrouded in mist.
Lacy M. Johnson, The New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2016
Every nine months, on average, Réunion’s shield volcano, Piton de la Fournaise, puts on an amazing show of pyrotechnics.
Katie Knorovsky, National Geographic, 23 Apr. 2019
See More
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'shield volcano.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Word History
First Known Use
1911, in the meaning defined above
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 7 Dec. 2022.
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
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about shield volcano
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