Fissure
Volcano Learning zone > Volcano Glossary
Fissures and rifts are elongate cracks in the earths surface.Fissures are smaller than rifts. They typically form where the crust is under tension and is pulled apart allowing molten rock to pour out. Basalt is the predominate rock type found and fountains or curtains of "fire" can spectacularly erupt. Eruptions can pour out large volumes of basalt and eventually focus on one or two main vents.