fissure eruption: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Typically less immediately dangerous than explosive eruptions as they are not as violent. However, they can be extremely hazardous due to vast lava flows covering large areas, and the release of large volumes of gas (like in the Laki eruption) can cause regional or global climate effects and poison the air.

They are common in regions with divergent tectonic plate boundaries (like Iceland and the East African Rift) and over volcanic hot spots (like Hawaii). They are associated with basaltic, low-viscosity magma.

They primarily create extensive lava plateaus or plains (flood basalts), such as the Deccan Traps in India or the Columbia River Basalt Group in the US. Over time, activity may localise to build shield volcanoes or spatter ramparts along the fissure.

Yes, though it's a creative/figurative extension. It can describe the sudden, linear, and widespread outbreak of something previously contained, e.g., 'The policy change led to a fissure eruption of protests across the country.'

A type of volcanic eruption where lava erupts from a long, linear crack in the Earth's surface, rather than from a central vent.

Fissure eruption is usually technical / scientific in register.

Fissure eruption: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfɪʃə ɪˌrʌpʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfɪʃɚ ɪˌrʌpʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.