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This classification system applies to eruptions, not to volcanoes themselves. The same volcano may erupt in different ways at different times. A single volcano may erupt in two different ways through two different openings.

There are three major types of volcano eruptions: Hawaiian and Strombolian, Vulcanian and Vesuvian, and Pelean, Phreatic, and Plinian. You can download these volcano images to a zip file. For comments on this page, contact the designer.

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Hawaiian

  • Quietest, least dramatic
  • Lava
  • Little gas pressure
  • Linerar or central vent

Kilauea Iki Kilauea Iki

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Strombolian

  • Gas pressure
  • Rhythmic explosions
  • Lava

Irazu Irazu

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Vulcanian

  • Highly explosive
  • Gas clouds
  • Lava

Paricutin Paricutin

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Vesuvian

  • Ash-laden gas
  • Violent eruptions

Mt. Vesuvius Vesuvius

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Pelean

  • "Glowing Cloud"
  • Gas clouds
  • Lava

Pelee Pelee

 

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Phreatic

  • "Steam Blast"
  • Generally weak
  • Explosive expanding steam
  • Blasting fragments of solid rock

Taal Taal

Plinian

  • Most powerful
  • Explosive, viscous lava
  • Ash and volcanic gas
  • Fast, deadly pyroclastic flows

Pinatubo Pinatubo
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