Shield Volcano
In space and astronautical engineering context, a shield volcano is a type of volcano that has a broad, gentle slope and is built by the eruption of fluid basaltic lava. Shield volcanoes are typically found at hotspots, which are areas of the Earth's surface where magma rises from the mantle and creates volcanic activity. The lava flows from shield volcanoes can be extensive, covering large areas of land and creating new land masses. Due to their low viscosity, shield volcanoes are not typically explosive, but can still pose a hazard to nearby populations due to their ability to cause lava flows and fires. Shield volcanoes are important to study in order to better understand the geological processes that shape our planet and to assess the potential risks associated with volcanic activity.
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