<P> A shield volcano is a type of volcano usually built almost entirely of fluid lava flows . They are named for their low profile, resembling a warrior's shield lying on the ground . This is caused by the highly fluid (low viscosity) 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 . The shape of shield volcanoes is due to the low viscosity of their mafic lava . </P> <P> Shield volcanoes are built by effusive eruptions, which flow out in all directions to create a shield like that of a warrior . The word "shield" has a long history, and is derived from the Old English scield or scild, which is in turn taken from the Proto - Germanic * skelduz, and related to the Gothic skildus, meaning "to divide, split, or separate". Shield volcano itself is taken from the German term Schildvulkan . </P>

Shield volcanoes tend to erupt what type of lava