Volcanology

Volcano Lab

Build a magma, change the conditions, then erupt it. Your choices affect viscosity, gas escape and pressure — and now also reveal the volcanic landform and geological setting most consistent with those conditions.

This is a simplified teaching model. Eruption style responds directly to the modelled magma and conduit conditions. Volcano form and geological setting are shown as typical associations, not unique diagnoses of real volcanoes.
Typical landform: Shield volcano Repeated fluid eruptions tend to build broad, low-angle volcanoes.
Pressure: moderate
Most consistent setting: Hotspot
magma chamber conduit vent

Challenges

Pick a target, then build the right volcanic system.

No challenge selected.

Eruption guide

Compare the main eruption styles used in this experiment. Your latest result will be highlighted.

Current result

Effusive

Fluid magma · low pressure

Lava flows relatively gently because the magma is runny and gas can escape without strongly fragmenting it.

Low viscosity → easy degassing → lava flows
Current result

Lava fountain

Runny magma · active degassing

Expanding gas drives glowing jets of lava above the vent while fluid lava may continue down the flank.

Low viscosity + gas → fountains + flows
Current result

Strombolian

Intermittent gas bursts

Gas collects into pockets that burst at the vent, throwing bombs and spatter in repeated explosive pulses.

Gas pockets → bursts → bombs and spatter
Current result

Vulcanian

Viscous magma · restricted gas escape

Pressure builds beneath a partly blocked vent and is released in short, forceful explosions of ash and rock fragments.

Higher viscosity → trapped gas → violent blasts
Current result

Plinian

Volatile-rich · highly explosive

Viscous, gas-rich magma fragments efficiently and drives a sustained eruption column high into the atmosphere.

Trapped gas + high viscosity → towering ash column
Current result

Lava dome

Very viscous · crystal-rich magma

Sticky magma piles up close to the vent. An unstable dome can collapse and generate a fast pyroclastic flow.

Very high viscosity → dome growth → collapse hazard
For teachers

Take Volcano Lab into the classroom.

Turn the interactive into a structured classroom investigation with activities that guide students through magma viscosity, dissolved volatiles, gas escape, pressure, eruption style, volcanic landforms and geological setting.

Student activity pack · Teacher guide · Answer key

Get the classroom pack → Also available on TES ↗

The interactive remains free to use.

Part of the Dig Earth Studio Lab

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