Chapter 3.2 - Distributed Volcanic fields

Distributed volcanic fields are typically low magma-flux systems, and occur in every tectonic setting. Their volcanoes are typically but not exclusively small-volume (≤1 km3 of magma). The most typical type of volcanoes associated with volcanic fields include scoria cones, tuff rings, maars, tuff cones, spatter cones, and associated lava flows, in addition to sparse medium-size shields and lava domes. Volcanic fields have spatial extents up to 10,000s km2 and in places overlap with major cities and critical infrastructure. This chapter gives an up-to-date overview on research into the geology, geochemistry and geophysics of volcanic fields, highlighting the typical physico-chemical processes responsible for their spatio-temporal evolution and associated hazards.