The old classification of volcanic eruptions (slightly adapted from the book "Volcanoes" by Gordon Macdonald, 1972, Prentice Hall Inc

The old classification of volcanic eruptions (slightly adapted from the book "Volcanoes" by Gordon Macdonald, 1972, Prentice Hall Inc.)

NAME NATURE OF MAGMA EXPLOSIVE CHARACTER FLOW CHARACTER

hawaiian fluid weak ejection of very fluid blebs, lava fountains thin, often extensive flows of fluid lava

strombolian moderately fluid weak to violent ejection of pasty fluid blebs thicker, less extensive flows of moderately fluid lava; flows may be absent

vulcanian viscous moderate to violent ejection of solid or very viscous hot fragments of new lava flows commonly absent' when present they are thick and stubby

peleean viscous like vulcanian, commonly with pyroclastic flows domes and/or short very thick flows; may be absent

plinian viscous paroxysmal ejection of large volumes of ash... usually no flows

NAME	NATURE OF MAGMA	EXPLOSIVE CHARACTER	FLOW CHARACTER
hawaiian	fluid	weak ejection of very fluid blebs, lava fountains	thin, often extensive flows of fluid lava
strombolian	moderately fluid	weak to violent ejection of pasty fluid blebs	thicker, less extensive flows of moderately fluid lava; flows may be absent
vulcanian	viscous	moderate to violent ejection of solid or very viscous hot fragments of new lava	flows commonly absent' when present they are thick and stubby
peleean	viscous	like vulcanian, commonly with pyroclastic flows	domes and/or short very thick flows; may be absent
plinian	viscous	paroxysmal ejection of large volumes of ash...	usually no flows