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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Kilauea, a shield volcano located on Hawaii’s Big Island and one of Earth’s most active, erupted again early on Monday morning, albeit timidly. Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 June 2024 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 See all Example Sentences for shield volcano 

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 21 Nov. 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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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