Learn1 of 3
Shield, Composite, and Cinder Cone
Not all volcanoes look the same! There are three main types:
SHIELD VOLCANOES: Wide and flat like an upside-down shield. They erupt with thin, runny lava that flows far before cooling. Hawaii has shield volcanoes! They erupt gently and often.
COMPOSITE VOLCANOES: Tall, steep cones (the classic volcano shape). They erupt explosively with thick lava, ash, and gas. Mount St. Helens and Mount Fuji are composite volcanoes.
CINDER CONES: Small, steep hills made of volcanic rock fragments. They erupt for a short time and build small mountains.