A
shield volcano is a type of
volcano usually built almost entirely of
fluid magma flows. They are named for their large size and low profile, resembling a
warrior's shield lying on the ground. This is caused by the highly fluid lava they erupt, which travels farther than lava erupted from
stratovolcanoes. This results in the steady accumulation of broad sheets of lava, building up the shield volcano's distinctive form. Shield volcanoes shape is due to the low-
viscosity magma of their
mafic lava.