How do side vents form in volcanoes?
Steven
Dear Steven,
Volcanoes are pretty big features. Because they are so big they,
actually spread under their own weight (think of pouring jelly out of a
jar and watching it spread out as gravity pulls on it). As it spreads
out, weak places develop inside of a volcano. Sometimes magma will move
into these weak places instead of following the main conduit. The magma
may move laterally away from the main conduit then begin to rise towards
the surface. If it reaches the surface it will be a side vent.
Steve Mattox, University of North Dakota
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