volcanology

volcanology
volcanological /vol'keuh nl oj"i keuhl/, volcanologic, adj.volcanologist, n.
/vol'keuh nol"euh jee/, n.
the scientific study of volcanoes and volcanic phenomena.
[1885-90; VOLCANO + -LOGY]

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Scientific discipline concerned with all aspects of volcanic phenomena.

Volcanology deals with the formation, distribution, and classification of volcanoes, as well as their structure and the kinds of materials ejected during an eruption (e.g., lava, dust, ash, and gas). It also involves research on the relationships between volcanic eruptions and other large-scale geologic processes, such as mountain building and earthquakes. One of its chief aims is to determine the nature and causes of volcanic eruptions in order to predict them. Another practical concern is obtaining data that may aid in locating commercially valuable deposits of ores, particularly those of certain metallic sulfides.

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also spelled  vulcanology 

      discipline of the geologic sciences (geology) that is concerned with all aspects of volcanic phenomena.

      Volcanology deals with the formation, distribution, and classification of volcanoes (volcano) as well as with their structure and the kinds of materials ejected during an eruption (such as pyroclastic flows (pyroclastic flow), lava, dust, ash, and volcanic gases). It also involves research on the relationships between volcanic eruptions and other large-scale geologic processes such as plate tectonics, mountain building, and earthquakes (earthquake). One of the chief objectives of this research is determining the nature and causes of volcanic eruptions for the purpose of forecasting their occurrence. Another practical concern of volcanology is securing data that may aid in locating commercially valuable deposits of ores, particularly those of certain sulfide minerals (sulfide mineral).

      Interest in volcanic phenomena extends back to ancient times. The eruption of Mount Vesuvius (Vesuvius) in AD 79 was recorded in considerable detail by Pliny the Younger. Studies of volcanoes, however, were not conducted systematically until the 19th century. Since that time volcanology has become an important branch of physical geology. Specialists in the field, using the principles and methods of geophysics and geochemistry and the tools of seismology and geodesy, have obtained much knowledge of processes that occur within the Earth's interior.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Volcanology — (also spelled vulcanology) is the study of volcanoes, lava, magma, and related geological and geophysical phenomena. The term volcanology is derived from the Latin word vulcan , the Roman god of fire. A volcanologist is a person who studies the… …   Wikipedia

  • volcanology — [väl΄kə näl′əjē] n. [ VOLCANO + LOGY] the science dealing with volcanoes and volcanic activity volcanological adj …   English World dictionary

  • volcanology — noun Date: 1886 a branch of science that deals with volcanic phenomena • volcanologist noun …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • volcanology — noun /ˌvɒl.kənˈɒl.ə.dʒi,ˌvʌl.kənˈɒl.ə.dʒi/ The study of volcanoes. See Also: volcanologist …   Wiktionary

  • volcanology —  , vulcanology  Both are the terms for the science of volcanoes. The first is the preferred American spelling, the second the preferred British one …   Bryson’s dictionary for writers and editors

  • volcanology — study of volcanoes Sciences and Studies …   Phrontistery dictionary

  • volcanology — n. study of volcanoes and volcanic phenomenavol·can·ol·o·gy || ‚vÉ‘lkÉ™ nÉ‘lÉ™dʒɪ /‚vÉ’lkÉ™ nÉ’l …   English contemporary dictionary

  • volcanology — [ˌvɒlkə nɒlədʒi] (also vulcanology) noun the scientific study of volcanoes. Derivatives volcanological adjective volcanologist noun …   English new terms dictionary

  • volcanology — vol·ca·nol·o·gy …   English syllables

  • volcanology — vol•can•ol•o•gy [[t]ˌvɒl kəˈnɒl ə dʒi[/t]] also vulcanology n. gel the scientific study of volcanoes and volcanic phenomena • Etymology: 1885–90 vol can•o•log′i•cal nlˈɒdʒ ɪ kəl vol can•o•log′ic, adj. vol can•ol′o•gist, n …   From formal English to slang

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