Shield cones were named by Icelandic people because the cone's shape reminded them of a warriors shield layed down. Shield cones form from hot, runny lava that is erupted from the the volcano through its summit and the many side vents and fissures throughout the volcano's flanks (Sides). Shield cones are low, very broad, and gently sloping volcanoes. The volcano pictured above is Mauna Kea, which is located on the big island of Hawaii. Mauna Loa, which is also on the big island, is the largest volcano on Earth and the tallest mountain in the world if measured from the floor of the ocean where it was formed. Mauna Loa is 13,677 feet above sea level but over 17,000 feet of mountain lies under the water. This volcanic mountain is over 30,000 feet tall from sea floor to the summit. Maua Loa started to form above the Hawaiian hot spot about one million years ago and broke the surface of the ocean about 500,000 years ago. Click on the "Next" button to learn about this explosive type of eruption.

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