Phrase guide

shield volcano

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A large volcano, with shallow-sloping sides and a flattened dome, formed of successive eruptions of free-flowing lava from fissure vents.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: geography, geology, natural-sciences, volcanology

Examples

  • 2015, Edward Keller, Duane DeVecchio, Natural Hazards, Pearson Education, 4th Edition, page 136, Shield volcanoes are constructed from basaltic lavas and in profile appear as broad arcs with gentle slopes (Figure 5.10).
  • 2019, Peter Macinnis, Australian Backyard Earth Scientist, National Library Australia (NLA Publishing), page 41, Shield volcanoes can be tens of kilometres from side to side, though the shield volcano called Rangitoto, just off Auckland, is a lot smaller. Each island of Hawaii was once an active shield volcano.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: lava dome

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

11 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 盾狀火山 /盾状火山 (dùnzhuàng huǒshān) — type of volcano with shallow-sloping sides and a flattened dome
  • French: volcan bouclier — type of volcano with shallow-sloping sides and a flattened dome
  • Georgian: ფარისებრი ვულკანი (parisebri vulḳani) — type of volcano with shallow-sloping sides and a flattened dome
  • German: Schildvulkan — type of volcano with shallow-sloping sides and a flattened dome
  • Japanese: 楯状火山 (tatejōkazan) — type of volcano with shallow-sloping sides and a flattened dome
  • Korean: 순상 화산 (sunsang hwasan) — type of volcano with shallow-sloping sides and a flattened dome
  • Polish: wulkan tarczowy — type of volcano with shallow-sloping sides and a flattened dome
  • Portuguese: vulcão-escudo — type of volcano with shallow-sloping sides and a flattened dome
  • Russian: щитово́й вулка́н (ščitovój vulkán) — type of volcano with shallow-sloping sides and a flattened dome
  • Russian: щитови́дный вулка́н (ščitovídnyj vulkán) — type of volcano with shallow-sloping sides and a flattened dome
  • Spanish: volcán en escudo — type of volcano with shallow-sloping sides and a flattened dome