A volcano that has not erupted for a very long time and is not expected to erupt again in the future is called what?

Introduction / Context:
Volcanoes are classified in several ways based on their shape, eruption style, and activity status. From the perspective of activity, they can be active, dormant, or extinct. This question asks you to identify the term used for a volcano that is not expected to erupt again. Understanding the meaning of extinct volcano, as distinct from active or dormant ones, is important for geography and earth science, as it relates to geological hazards and landscape evolution.

Given Data / Assumptions:
– The volcano described has not erupted for a very long time.
– It is not expected to erupt again in the foreseeable geological future.
– Options include cinder cone, lava dome, moraine, and extinct volcano.
– We assume standard definitions used in school geography and geology textbooks.

Concept / Approach:
Active volcanoes are those that have erupted recently or show signs of possible future eruptions, such as ongoing gas emission or seismic activity. Dormant volcanoes are those that have not erupted in recent history but could erupt again in the future; they are sometimes described as sleeping. Extinct volcanoes are those that have not erupted for a very long time and are considered incapable of further eruptions because their magma supply has been cut off or the conditions needed for activity no longer exist. A cinder cone is a type of volcanic cone built from pyroclastic fragments; it describes shape, not activity status. A lava dome is another structural feature created by viscous lava piling up near the vent. A moraine is a glacial landform consisting of accumulated debris carried by ice and is not a volcano at all. Therefore, the correct term for a volcano not expected to erupt again is extinct volcano.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the activity description: the volcano has not erupted for a long time and is not expected to erupt again. Step 2: Recall that such volcanoes are classified as extinct rather than merely dormant. Step 3: Recognise that cinder cone and lava dome describe the shape and accumulation of volcanic materials, not the long term activity status. Step 4: Note that moraine is associated with glaciers and ice movement, not with volcanism. Step 5: Conclude that the given description matches the term extinct volcano.

Verification / Alternative check:
Earth science texts provide definitions and examples for active, dormant, and extinct volcanoes. They often describe some volcanic peaks that have eroded heavily and show no sign of current magma supply as extinct. In contrast, they label volcanoes with historical eruptions or current unrest as active or dormant. Cinder cones, lava domes, and moraines are explained in separate sections dealing with volcanic structures and glacial landforms. This clear separation of terms verifies that extinct volcano is the correct answer for a volcano not expected to erupt again.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Cinder cone: This refers to a cone shaped volcanic hill made from cinders and ash; it does not indicate whether the volcano is active, dormant, or extinct.
Lava dome: A lava dome is a mound formed by viscous lava piling up near a vent; again, it is a structural description rather than an activity status term.
Moraine: A moraine is a ridge or pile of debris left by a glacier and has nothing to do with volcanoes or volcanic activity status.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse the terms describing volcanic shapes with those describing activity. Seeing cone or dome, they may think these indicate inactivity, which is not correct. Another error is to confuse dormant and extinct, believing that any inactive volcano is extinct. To avoid such mistakes, remember the simple classification: active currently erupts or may erupt soon, dormant has been quiet for some time but could erupt again, and extinct is not expected to erupt again. Keep shape based terms like cinder cone and lava dome in a separate mental category from activity based terms.

Final Answer:
A volcano that is not expected to erupt again in the future is called an Extinct volcano.