Distribution
Main article: List of shield volcanoes
Shield volcanoes are distinctive products of hotspot volcanism, but can form at rift and subduction zones as well.[4]
The largest and most prominent shield volcano chain in the world are the Hawaiian Islands, a chain of hotspot volcanoes in Pacific Ocean. This chain includes the largest volcano on Earth, Mauna Loa. Mauna Kea stands 4,170 m (13,681 ft) above sea level. In addition, its submarine flanks reach a further 5 km (3 mi) below the waterline, and Mauna Loa's massive size depresses the sea floor on which it stands a further 8 km (5 mi), making the volcano's summit about 17 km (56,000 ft) above its base. The volcano is approximately 80,000 km3 (19,193 cu mi) in total volume.[6]
Kilauea is one of the most active volcanoes on Earth, with the current ongoing eruption having begun in January 1983.[3] The Hawaiian volcanoes are characterized by frequent rift eruptions, their large size (thousands of km3 in volume), and their rough, decentralized shape.[1]
Another major center of shield volcanic activity is Iceland. There, the volcanoes are small (~15 km3 (4 cu mi)), symmetrical, and are characterized by eruptions from summit calderas.[1]
Olympus Mons on Mars is also a shield volcano.[6]