Shield volcano are cave-like volcanic straights formed by the hardening of overlaying lava. These structures help further the propagation of lava, as the walls of the tube insulates the lava within. Lava tubes can account for a large portion of shield volcano activity; for example, an estimated 58% of the lava forming Kīlauea comes from lava tubes. In some shield volcano eruptions, basaltic lava pours out of a long fissure instead of a central vent, and shrouds the countryside with a long band of volcanic material in the form of a broad plateau. Plateaus of this type exist in Iceland, Washington, Oregon,
Riding a Black Unicorn Down the Side of an Erupting Volcano While Drinking from a Chalice Filled with the Laughter of Small Children According to Voltaire on his website, the album's name comes from a comment made by a fan on his official Facebook page, in which he compared Voltaire's music to the "audio equivalent of 'riding a black unicorn down the side of an erupting volcano while drinking from a goblet filled with the laughter of small children'". Amused, Voltaire decided this would be the title of his new album (even though he changed "goblet" to "chalice" at the end). The album's cover art was provided by famous fantasy/concept artist Michael "Daarken" Lim. Daarken is well known for designing characters and providing