* Shield Volcano- A gently-sloping volcano that emits mostly basaltic lava (very fluid lava) that flows in long-lasting, relatively gentle eruptions- explosions are minimal. Shield volcanoes can be very big.
* Composite or
Strato Volcano- A steep-cones volcano that explosively emits gases, ash,
pumice, and a small amount of stiff, silica lava (called rhyolite). This type of
volcano can have eruptions accompanied by lahars- deadly mudflows. Most
volcanoes on Earth are of this type. Stratovolcanoes kill more people than any
other type of volcanoes- this is because of their abundance on Earth and their
powerful mudflows.
* Lava Dome-
A bulbous (rounded) volcano that forms when very viscous lava barely flows.
* Cinder Cone-
A cone-shaped volcano whose steep sides are formed by loose, fragmented cinders
that fall to the Earth close to the vent. The lava flows through a single vent
that is usually only up to about 1,000 feet tall. There is usually a bowl-shaped
crater at the top. As the gas-filled lava erupts into the air, the lava
fragments into pieces and forms cinders.
* Rhyolite
Caldera Complex- There are the most explosive volcanoes. They do not look
like common volcanoes- after an eruption, the result is a caldera (crater)
caused when the area around the vent collapses.
