4 MAIN TYPES OF VOLCANOES

Composite volcanoes - Composite cones are  large volcanoes (many

thousands of feet or meters tall) generally composed of lava flows, pyroclastic deposits,
and mudflow (lahar) deposits, as well as lava domes. Composite volcanoes are active
over long periods (tens to hundreds of thousands of years), and erupt periodically.

Cinder Cones - Cinder conesCinder cones, sometimes called scoria cones or

pyroclastic cones, are  the most common types of volcanic cones. They form after violent
eruptions blow lava fragments into the air, which then solidify and fall as cinders around
the volcanic vent.
Shield Volcanoes - A shield volcano is a type of volcano named for its low
profile, resembling a warrior's shield lying on the ground. It is formed by the eruption of
highly fluid (low viscosity) lava, which travels farther and forms thinner flows than the
more viscous lava erupted from a stratovolcano.

Lava Domes - Lava domes, which may also be referred to as volcanic domes, are
common features in volcanic regions throughout the world. Lava domes can come in
many shapes and sizes, and while they may not be quite as spectacular as their explosive
or flowing counterparts, they are often still an awe inspiring sight to see. The purpose of
this page is to provide a brief introduction to lava domes, which will by no means be
entirely comprehensive. In fact, even today, there is still much unknown about lava
domes and what they can potentially reveal about volcanic systems.