Cinder
Cone
Volcanoes
Gwen Nytes
Composition
The magma in this type of volcano is
made of basaltic-andesitic materials.
The magma has an intermediate
viscosity, so it’s mildly explosive. It also
consists of a lot of gases, so when the
lava cools and hardens in the air, gas
bubbles get trapped inside. The
particles fall back down as cinders, and
pile around the vent.
Formation
•
•
Cinder cone volcanoes are made from
particles and pieces of hardened lava
blown out of the volcano’s single vent.
Usually cinder cones are formed in this
order:
•
•
•
Eruption – gas-charged lava explodes from vent
Formation of cone and crater – Lava cools and
hardens in the air and fall down as cinders. These
particles accumulate, building up and forming the
dome. The eruptions occurring create a crater at the
top
Lava flow – When the lava begins to lose its gas
content, it oozes down the side of the volcano as a
lava flow
Structures
•
•
•
•
Vent – opening at Earth’s surface
Pipe – the passageway that the magma
rises through during an eruption
Crater – depression at the top of the
volcano where materials are released
Cone – sides of volcano built of solidified
lava, ash, and cinders
Compare & Contrast
Cinder Cone
Volcanoes
Shield Volcanoes
Thin,
flowing lava
Low silicate content
Low gas content
Gentle
slope
Little pyroclastic
material
Formed by
hardened lava flow
Mildly
explosive
Intermediate gas level
Intermediate silicate
content
Layered
structure
built from pyroclastic
deposits
Made of ash and
cinders
Compare & Contrast
Cinder Cone
Volcanoes
Composite Volcanoes
Steep
near the top,
gentler towards the
bottom
Layers of pyroclastic
material and lava
flows
Magma has high
viscosity – explosive
High silicate content
High gas content
Smallest
volcano
Layered cone of ash
and cinders
Mildly explosive
Intermediate gas
content
Intermediate silicate
content
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