Types of Volcanoes

Explore Composite, Cinder Cone, and Shield volcanoes! Learn about their unique features and how they form.

Please type your name. Name _ 1. Composite Volcanoes􀀀Composite volcanoes are the most common type of volcano.􀀀They have steep sides at the opening and a broad (wide) base􀀀Composite volcanoes erupt very explosively spewing out pyroclastic material followed byperiods of calm lava flows.2. Cinder-Cone Volcanoes􀀀Cinder cone volcanoes tend to be smaller and can form quickly.They have flat domes on top called cinder cones and steep sides.􀀀Cinder cone volcanoes form from moderately explosive eruptions of pyroclastic material.3. Shield Volcanoes􀀀Shield Volcanoes have gently sloping hillsides, but can be huge!􀀀Shield volcanoes form from non-explosive eruptions with calm less viscous lavaflows.Hot spots are volcanically active places on Earth's surface that are far from tectonic plate boundaries.Active volcanoes are currently erupting or show signs of erupting in the near future.Dormant volcanoes (sleeping) are currently not erupting, but the record of past eruptions suggests that they may erupt again.Extinct volcanoes (dead) have not erupted in recorded history and probably never will erupt again. Composite (Strato) Volcano most common type steep sides with broad (wide) base eruptions are explosive with pyroclastic material followed by calm lava flows = layers can be as tall as 8,000 feet Cinder Cone Volcano smaller volcano that forms quickly flat dome tops with steep sides moderate eruptions with pyroclastic material can be as tall as 1,000 feet Shield Volcano gentle sloping hill sides but can be huge non-explosive eruptions with runny lava flows can be as tall as 28,000 feet