Morphological evolution of insular volcanoes

The morphological evolution of insular volcanoes is due to the alternance between constructional and degradational processes (eruptive activity for the former one, erosion and demantling for the latter, especially developed during stages of quiescence or reduced activity). The occurrence of gravity-driven instability is also very common on steep volcanic flanks and is commonly witnessed in the marine record. The interaction with sea-level fluctuations in commonly recorded on volcanic islands through typical morphologies (such as insular shelves or raised marine terraces). The overall morphology of the volcanic edifices thus gives important insights on the reconstruction of volcanoes growth/evolution (besides the knowledge from the emerged portions, commonly representing jast a very limited part fo the entire volcanic edifice) and on possible vertical movements affecting them through time.