Ceist Eile

Ceist Eile is in development. Features, questions and prices may change while we refine it.

Subjects · Leaving Cert Geography

Leaving Cert Geography: Volcanoes

How often Volcanoes comes up on the Geography papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 9 of the last 10 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2026. banker

OL Asked on 10 of the last 10 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2026. banker

June 2028 is the first exam on the new Geography course. These come from the 2016–2026 papers, so read them as a guide.

Volcanoes, Higher Level(6 marks)

Quick ones on Volcanoes.

(a)Volcano built from alternating layers of lava and ash?
  1. A shield volcano (runny basaltic lava)
  2. A composite cone (stratovolcano)
  3. A lava plateau (flood basalt)
(b)Molten rock while it is still below the Earth's surface?
  1. Pyroclast
  2. Lava
  3. Magma
(c)Volcanic feature that throws hot water and steam into the air at intervals?
  1. A geyser
  2. A caldera
  3. A fumarole
Show the answers

(a) A composite cone (stratovolcano)

(b) Magma

(c) A geyser

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Volcanoes.

Higher Level

Asked on 9 of the last 10 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2026. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2026Q3A
2025Q2A
2024Q2C, Q3A
2023SQ2, Q3B
2022Not asked
2021SQ5, Q3A
2019SQ3
2018Q1C
2017Q1B, Q2C
2016SQ2

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Volcanoes questions

Volcanoes, 2 marks

Fast-moving mix of hot gas, ash and rock that rushes down the side of an erupting volcano?

  1. A lahar
  2. A lava tube
  3. A pyroclastic flow
Show the answer

A pyroclastic flow

Pyroclastic flows can exceed 100 km/h and several hundred degrees Celsius, making them the deadliest volcanic hazard.

Volcanoes, 2 marks

Volcanic mudflow that buried the Colombian town of Armero in 1985?

  1. A tsunami
  2. A lahar
  3. A pyroclastic flow
Show the answer

A lahar

Nevado del Ruiz melted part of its ice cap. Mudflows swept down river valleys and killed over 20,000 people in Armero.

Volcanoes, 2 marks

Pipe through which magma rises from the magma chamber to the surface?

  1. The main vent
  2. The crater rim
  3. A fissure
Show the answer

The main vent

Magma forces its way up the vent. The crater is the hollow at the top where the vent opens out.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 10 of the last 10 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2026. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2026SQ4
2025SQ12, Q2A
2024SQ1, Q1B, Q3A
2023SQ3
2022Q3A
2021Q1B
2019SQ1, SQ12
2018Q1C
2017Q2A
2016SQ4

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Volcanoes questions

Volcanoes, 2 marks

Name for molten rock once it has reached the Earth's surface?

  1. Magma
  2. Ash
  3. Lava
Show the answer

Lava

Molten rock is called magma while it is still underground and lava once it erupts out onto the surface.

Volcanoes, 2 marks

Broad gently sloping volcano built by runny lava?

  1. A caldera
  2. A shield volcano
  3. A composite cone
Show the answer

A shield volcano

Runny lava flows a long way before it cools, so the volcano spreads out wide and low, as in Iceland and Hawaii.

Volcanoes, 2 marks

Opening in the Earth's crust through which lava erupts?

  1. A vent
  2. A fault
  3. A geyser
Show the answer

A vent

Magma rises up a pipe and escapes through the vent, building a cone of lava and ash around the opening at the surface.

Other Geography topics

All of Leaving Cert Geography