volcanic neck

geology

Also known as: volcanic spine

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Last updated

July 14, 2026

Quick Summary

A volcanic neck is a column of igneous rock formed within the conduit of a volcano. This rock solidifies from lava or volcanic breccia. Over time, erosion of the surrounding rock can leave the volcanic neck standing as a prominent geological feature.1

These necks are essentially the exposed "throats" of ancient volcanoes. Famous examples include Ship Rock in New Mexico and Devil's Tower in Wyoming, which are remnants of volcanic necks that have been revealed as the softer surrounding sedimentary rocks eroded away. Volcanic necks are a type of intrusive igneous rock formation.2

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igneous rock
Intrusive igneous rocks
…shallow intrusive bodies such as volcanic necks and diatremes (see Figure 6). A volcanic neck is the “throat” of a volcano and consists of a pipelike conduit filled with hypabyssal rocks. Ship Rock in New Mexico and Devil’s Tower in Wyoming are remnants of volcanic necks, which were exposed after…
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…shallow intrusive bodies such as volcanic necks and diatremes (see Figure 6). A volcanic neck is the “throat” of a volcano and consists of a pipelike conduit filled with hypabyssal rocks. Ship Rock in New Mexico and Devil’s Tower in Wyoming are remnants of volcanic necks, which were exposed after…
Read More