What Is A Composite Volcano
Composite Volcanoes are normally steep sided symmetrical cones that have built up over many years, ash and lava from previous eruptions hence the name composite. They normally have a crater or vent at the top. These volcanoes are also sometimes called strato volcanoes.
Some of the greatest volcanoes in the world are composite volcanoes like Mount St Helens and Mount Rainier in Washington. These composite volcanoes form along a convergent boundary or subduction zone that I blogged about before. The lava is thick and tends to get stuck in the vents and fissures of the volcano until gasses building up pressure explode causing violent eruptions. To learn more about composite volcanoes get yourself a volcano science kit and you just might find yourself wanting to be a volcanologist. Thanks Moorescience.