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What does "extinct" mean in relation to volcanoes?

  1. A volcano likely to erupt again

  2. A volcano that is currently active

  3. A volcano that is no longer active and unlikely to erupt again

  4. A volcano with a caldera

The correct answer is: A volcano that is no longer active and unlikely to erupt again

The term "extinct" in relation to volcanoes refers to a volcano that is no longer active and is unlikely to erupt again in the future. This classification is based on the history of the volcano's activity and geological assessments. Extinct volcanoes show no signs of volcanic activity, such as gas emissions or seismic activity, and they typically have not erupted for thousands to millions of years. The comparison against other terms like "active" or "dormant" also clarifies this concept; an active volcano is one that has erupted recently, while a dormant volcano has the potential to erupt again but is currently inactive. Hence, identifying a volcano as extinct implies a significant assessment that there is no expected future activity, positioning it as a stable, non-threatening geological feature.