Composite Volcanoes

1. Shape: Cone shaped with moderately steep sides and sometimes have small craters in their summits.

2. Volcanologists call these “strato-” or composite volcanoes because they consist of layers of solid lava flows mixed with layers of sand- or gravel-like volcanic rock called cinders or volcanic ash.

3. They are characterized by the eruption of a cooler and more viscous lavas than basalt.

4. These volcanoes often result in explosive eruptions.

5. Along with lava, large quantities of pyroclastic materials and ashes find their way to the ground.

6. This material accumulates in the vicinity of the vent openings and leading to the formation of layers, and this makes the mount appears as composite volcanoes.