Which of the following characterizes a shield volcano?
A) It cannot get as high as Mt. Everest before the thin crust starts slumping.
B) It sits above a hot spot in the planet's mantle.
C) It is formed by moving tectonic plates.
D) It can erupt only briefly before being dragged off the hot spot.
E) It cannot grow very large, for it has a very short span of eruption.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Shield volcanoes are typically formed above a hot spot in the Earth's mantle, where magma rises through the crust to form the volcano. This process is not directly related to the movement of tectonic plates, and shield volcanoes can grow quite large and have long-lasting eruptions, unlike what is suggested in options A, C, D, and E.

Which of the Following Characterizes a Shield Volcano