# Volcanic cone

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Landform of ejecta from a volcanic vent piled up in a conical shape

[Mayon](/source/Mayon) in the [Philippines](/source/Philippines) has a symmetrical volcanic cone.

**Volcanic cones** are among the simplest [volcanic](/source/Volcano) [landforms](/source/Landform). They are built by [ejecta](/source/Ejecta) from a [volcanic vent](/source/Volcanic_vent), piling up around the vent in the shape of a [cone](/source/Cone_(geometry)) with a central crater. Volcanic cones are of different types, depending upon the nature and size of the fragments ejected during the eruption. Types of volcanic cones include [stratocones](#Stratocone), [spatter cones](#Spatter_cone), [tuff cones](#Tuff_cones), and [cinder cones](/source/Cinder_cone).[1][2]

## Stratocone

Main article: [Stratovolcano](/source/Stratovolcano)

[Osorno volcano](/source/Osorno_(volcano)) in [Chile](/source/Chile) is an example of a well-developed [stratocone](/source/Stratocone).

[Stratocones](/source/Stratocone) are large cone-shaped volcanoes made up of [lava flows](/source/Lava_flow), explosively erupted [pyroclastic](/source/Pyroclastic_rock) rocks, and igneous intrusives that are typically centered around a cylindrical vent. Unlike [shield volcanoes](/source/Shield_volcano), they are characterized by a steep profile and periodic, often alternating, [explosive eruptions](/source/Explosive_eruption) and [effusive eruptions](/source/Effusive_eruption). Some have collapsed craters called [calderas](/source/Caldera). The central core of a stratocone is commonly dominated by a central core of intrusive rocks that range from around 500 meters (1,600 ft) to over several kilometers in diameter. This central core is surrounded by multiple generations of lava flows, many of which are [brecciated](/source/Breccia), and a wide range of pyroclastic rocks and reworked volcanic debris. The typical stratocone is an [andesitic](/source/Andesite) to [dacitic](/source/Dacite) volcano that is associated with [subduction zones](/source/Subduction_zone). They are also known as either *stratified volcano,* *composite cone,* *bedded volcano,* *cone of mixed type* or *Vesuvian-type volcano.*[1][2]

## Spatter cone

[Puʻu ʻŌʻō](/source/Pu%CA%BBu_%CA%BB%C5%8C%CA%BB%C5%8D), a cinder-and-spatter cone on [Kīlauea](/source/K%C4%ABlauea), [Hawaiʻi](/source/Hawaii)

A spatter cone is a low, steep-sided hill or mound that consists of welded lava fragments, called *spatter,* which has formed around a [lava fountain](/source/Lava_fountain) issuing from a central vent. Typically, spatter cones are about 3–5 meters (9.8–16.4 ft) high. In case of a linear fissure, lava fountaining will create broad embankments of spatter, called *spatter ramparts,* along both sides of the fissure. Spatter cones are more circular and cone shaped, while spatter ramparts are linear wall-like features.[1][3][4]

Spatter cones and spatter ramparts are typically formed by lava fountaining associated with [mafic](/source/Mafic), highly fluid lavas, such as those erupted in the Hawaiian Islands. As blobs of molten lava, *spatter,* are erupted into the air by a lava fountain, they can lack the time needed to cool completely before hitting the ground. Consequently, the spatter are not fully solid, like [taffy](/source/Taffy_(candy)), as they land and they bind to the underlying spatter as both often slowly ooze down the side of the cone. As a result, the spatter builds up a cone that is composed of spatter either agglutinated or welded to each other.[1][3][4]

## Tuff cones

See also: [Phreatomagmatic eruption](/source/Phreatomagmatic_eruption)

[Koko Crater](/source/Koko_Crater) is a tuff cone that is part of the [Honolulu Volcanic Series](/source/Honolulu_Volcanic_Series).

A **tuff cone**, sometimes called an **ash cone**, is a small monogenetic volcanic cone produced by [phreatic](/source/Phreatic_eruption) (hydrovolcanic) explosions directly associated with magma brought to the surface through a conduit from a deep-seated magma reservoir. They are characterized by high rims that have a maximum relief of 100–800 meters (330–2,620 ft) above the crater floor and steep slopes that are greater than 25 degrees. They typically have a rim to rim diameter of 300–5,000 meters (980–16,400 ft). A tuff cone consists typically of thick-bedded pyroclastic flow and surge deposits created by eruption-fed density currents and bomb-scoria beds derived from fallout from its eruption column. The tuffs composing a tuff cone have commonly been altered, [palagonitized](/source/Palagonite), by either its interaction with groundwater or when it was deposited warm and wet. The pyroclastic deposits of tuff cones differ from the pyroclastic deposits of spatter cones by their lack or paucity of lava spatter, smaller grain-size, and excellent bedding. Typically, but not always, tuff cones lack associated lava flows.[2][5]

A **tuff ring** is a related type of small monogenetic volcano that is also produced by phreatic (hydrovolcanic) explosions directly associated with magma brought to the surface through a conduit from a deep-seated magma reservoir. They are characterized by rims that have a low, broad topographic profiles and gentle topographic slopes that are 25 degrees or less. The maximum thickness of the pyroclastic debris comprising the rim of a typical tuff ring is generally thin, less than 50 meters (160 ft) to 100 meters (330 ft) thick. The pyroclastic materials that comprise their rim consist primarily of relatively fresh and unaltered, distinctly and thin-bedded volcanic surge and air fall deposits. Their rims also can contain variable amounts of local [country rock](/source/Country_rock_(geology)) (bedrock) blasted out of their crater. In contrast to tuff cones, the crater of a tuff ring generally has been excavated below the existing ground surface. As a result, water commonly fills a tuff ring's crater to form a lake once eruptions cease.[2][5]

Both tuff cones and their associated tuff rings were created by explosive eruptions from a vent where the [magma](/source/Magma) is interacting with either [groundwater](/source/Groundwater) or a shallow body of water as found within a lake or sea. The interaction between the magma, expanding steam, and volcanic gases resulted in the production and ejection of fine-grained pyroclastic debris called *[ash](/source/Volcanic_ash)* with the consistency of [flour](/source/Flour). The volcanic ash comprising a tuff cone accumulated either as fallout from eruption columns, from low-density volcanic surges and pyroclastic flows, or combination of these. Tuff cones are typically associated with volcanic eruptions within shallow bodies of water and tuff rings are associated with eruptions within either water saturated sediments and bedrock or [permafrost](/source/Permafrost).[2][5][6]

Next to spatter (scoria) cones, tuff cones and their associated tuff rings are among the most common types of volcanoes on Earth. An example of a tuff cone is [Diamond Head](/source/Diamond_Head%2C_Hawaii) at [Waikīkī](/source/Waikiki) in [Hawaiʻi](/source/Hawaii).[2] Clusters of pitted cones observed in the [Nephentes/Amenthes](/source/Amenthes_quadrangle) region of [Mars](/source/Mars) at the southern margin of the ancient [Utopia impact basin](/source/Utopia_Planitia) are currently interpreted as being tuff cones and rings.[7]

## Cinder cone

Main article: [Cinder cone](/source/Cinder_cone)

Cinder cone

[Parícutin](/source/Par%C3%ADcutin) is a large cinder cone in [Mexico](/source/Mexico).

**Cinder cones**, also known as **scoria cones** and less commonly **scoria mounds**, are small, steep-sided volcanic cones built of loose [pyroclastic](/source/Pyroclastic_rock) fragments, such as either volcanic clinkers, cinders, volcanic ash, or [scoria](/source/Scoria).[1][8] They consist of loose pyroclastic debris formed by explosive eruptions or lava fountains from a single, typically cylindrical, vent. As the gas-charged lava is blown violently into the air, it breaks into small fragments that solidify and fall as either cinders, clinkers, or scoria around the vent to form a cone that often is noticeably symmetrical; with slopes between 30 and 40°; and a nearly circular ground plan. Most cinder cones have a bowl-shaped [crater](/source/Volcanic_crater) at the summit.[1] The basal diameters of cinder cones average about 800 meters (2,600 ft) and range from 250 to 2,500 meters (820 to 8,200 ft). The diameter of their craters ranges between 50 and 600 meters (160 and 1,970 ft). Cinder cones rarely rise more than 50–350 meters (160–1,150 ft) or so above their surroundings.[2][9]

Cinder cones most commonly occur as isolated cones in large basaltic volcanic fields. They also occur in nested clusters in association with complex tuff ring and maar complexes. Finally, they are also common as parasitic and monogenetic cones on complex shield and stratovolcanoes. Globally, cinder cones are the most typical volcanic landform found within continental intraplate volcanic fields and also occur in some subduction zone settings as well. [Parícutin](/source/Par%C3%ADcutin), the [Mexican](/source/Mexico) cinder cone which was born in a cornfield on February 20, 1943, and [Sunset Crater](/source/Sunset_Crater) in Northern [Arizona](/source/Arizona) in the US Southwest are classic examples of cinder cones, as are ancient volcanic cones found in New Mexico's [Petroglyph National Monument](/source/Petroglyph_National_Monument).[2][9] Cone-shaped hills observed in satellite imagery of the calderas and volcanic cones of [Ulysses Patera](/source/Ulysses_Patera),[10] [Ulysses Colles](/source/Ulysses_Colles)[11] and [Hydraotes Chaos](/source/Hydraotes_Chaos)[12] are argued to be cinder cones.

Cinder cones typically only erupt once like Parícutin. As a result, they are considered to be monogenetic volcanoes and most of them form [monogenetic volcanic fields](/source/Monogenetic_volcanic_field). Cinder cones are typically active for very brief periods of time before becoming inactive. Their eruptions range in duration from a few days to a few years. Of observed cinder cone eruptions, 50% have lasted for less than 30 days, and 95% stopped within one year. In case of Parícutin, its eruption lasted for nine years from 1943 to 1952. Rarely do they erupt either two, three, or more times. Later eruptions typically produce new cones within a volcanic field at separation distances of a few kilometers and separate by periods of 100 to 1,000 years. Within a volcanic field, eruptions can occur over a period of a million years. Once eruptions cease, being unconsolidated, cinder cones tend to erode rapidly unless further eruptions occur.[2][9]

## Rootless cones

Main article: [Rootless cone](/source/Rootless_cone)

**Rootless cones**, also called **pseudocraters**, are volcanic cones that are not directly associated with a conduit that brought magma to the surface from a deep-seated magma reservoir. Generally, three types of rootless cones, **[littoral cones](/source/Littoral_cone)**, **explosion craters**, and **[hornitos](/source/Hornito)** are recognized. Littoral cones and explosion craters are the result of mild explosions that were generated locally by the interaction of either hot lava or pyroclastic flows with water. Littoral cones typically form on the surface of a basaltic lava flow where it has entered into a body of water, usually a sea or ocean. Explosion craters form where either hot lava or pyroclastic flows have covered either marshy ground or water-saturated ground of some sort. Hornitos are rootless cones that are composed of welded lava fragments and were formed on the surface of basaltic lava flows by the escape of gas and clots of molten lava through cracks or other openings in the crust of a lava flow.[1][9][13]

## References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Volcanic cones](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Volcanic_cones).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Poldervaart1971a_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Poldervaart1971a_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Poldervaart1971a_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Poldervaart1971a_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Poldervaart1971a_1-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Poldervaart1971a_1-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-Poldervaart1971a_1-6) Poldervaart, A (1971). "Volcanicity and forms of extrusive bodies". In Green, J; Short, NM (eds.). *Volcanic Landforms and Surface Features: A Photographic Atlas and Glossary*. New York: Springer-Verlag. pp. 1–18. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978364265152-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978364265152-6).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Schmincke2004a_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Schmincke2004a_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Schmincke2004a_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Schmincke2004a_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Schmincke2004a_2-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Schmincke2004a_2-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-Schmincke2004a_2-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-Schmincke2004a_2-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-Schmincke2004a_2-8) Schmincke, H.-U. (2004). *Volcanism*. Berlin, Germany: Springer-Verlag. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-3540436508](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-3540436508).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-spatterUSGS_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-spatterUSGS_3-1) ["Spatter cone"](https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/images/pglossary/SpatterCone.php). *Volcano Hazard Program, Photo Glossary*. U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Department of the Interior. 2008.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-rampartUSGS_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-rampartUSGS_4-1) ["Spatter rampart"](https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/images/pglossary/SpatConeRamp.php). *Volcano Hazard Program, Photo Glossary*. U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Department of the Interior. 2008.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Wohletz1983a_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Wohletz1983a_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Wohletz1983a_5-2) Wohletz, K. H.; Sheridan, M. F. (1983). ["Hydrovolcanic explosions; II, Evolution of basaltic tuff rings and tuff cones"](https://doi.org/10.2475%2Fajs.283.5.385). *American Journal of Science*. **283** (5): 385–413. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[1983AmJS..283..385W](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1983AmJS..283..385W). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.2475/ajs.283.5.385](https://doi.org/10.2475%2Fajs.283.5.385).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Sohn1996a_6-0)** Sohn, Y. K. (1996). "Hydrovolcanic processes forming basaltic tuff rings and cones on Cheju Island, Korea". *Geological Society of America Bulletin*. **108** (10): 1199–1211. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[1996GSAB..108.1199S](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1996GSAB..108.1199S). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1130/0016-7606(1996)108<1199:HPFBTR>2.3.CO;2](https://doi.org/10.1130%2F0016-7606%281996%29108%3C1199%3AHPFBTR%3E2.3.CO%3B2).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Broz2013a_7-0)** Brož, P.; Hauber, E. (2013). ["Hydrovolcanic tuff rings and cones as indicators for phreatomagmatic explosive eruptions on Mars"](http://elib.dlr.de/83958/1/Broz_Hauber.Tuff_Cones_on_Mars.JGR_2013.pdf) (PDF). *Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets*. **118** (8): 1656–1675. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2013JGRE..118.1656B](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2013JGRE..118.1656B). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1002/jgre.20120](https://doi.org/10.1002%2Fjgre.20120).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-cinderUSGS_8-0)** ["Cinder cone"](https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/images/pglossary/CinderCone.php). *Volcano Hazards Program, Photo Glossary*. U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Department of the Interior. 2008.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-CasOthers1987a_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-CasOthers1987a_9-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-CasOthers1987a_9-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-CasOthers1987a_9-3) Cas, R.A.F., and J.V. Wright (1987) *Volcanic Successions: Modern and Ancient,* 1st ed. Chapman & Hall, London, United Kingdom. pp. 528 [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0412446405](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0412446405)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Plescia, J.B. (1994). "Geology of the small Tharsis volcanoes: Jovis Tholus, Ulysses Patera, Biblis Patera, Mars". *Icarus*. **111** (1): 246–269. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[1994Icar..111..246P](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1994Icar..111..246P). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1006/icar.1994.1144](https://doi.org/10.1006%2Ficar.1994.1144).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Brož, P.; Hauber, E. (2012). "A unique volcanic field in Tharsis, Mars: Pyroclastic cones as evidence for explosive eruptions". *Icarus*. **218** (1): 88–99. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2012Icar..218...88B](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2012Icar..218...88B). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/j.icarus.2011.11.030](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.icarus.2011.11.030). [hdl](/source/Hdl_(identifier)):[11104/0206070](https://hdl.handle.net/11104%2F0206070).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Meresse, Sandrine; Costard, François; Mangold, Nicolas; Masson, Philippe; Neukum, Gerhard; the HRSC Co-I Team (2008). "Formation and evolution of the chaotic terrains by subsidence and magmatism: Hydraotes Chaos, Mars". *Icarus*. **194** (2): 487–500. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2008Icar..194..487M](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2008Icar..194..487M). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/j.icarus.2007.10.023](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.icarus.2007.10.023).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-WentworthOthers1953a_13-0)** Wentworth, C., and G. MacDonald (1953) [*Structures and Forms of Basaltic Rocks in Hawaii.*](https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/b994) Bulletin no. 994. United States Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia. 98 pp.

v t e Volcanoes Types Caldera Cinder cone Complex volcano Cryovolcano Cryptovolcanic structure Fissure vent Lava cone Lava dome Maar Mud volcano Parasitic cone Pyroclastic cone Pyroclastic shield Rootless cone Shield volcano Somma volcano Stratovolcano Subglacial volcano Submarine volcano Supervolcano Tossol Volcanic cone Volcanic rocks Agglomerate Andesite Basalt Basaltic andesite Benmoreite Blairmorite Cinder Dacite Felsite Ignimbrite Komatiite Lapilli Latite Leucitite Nephelinite Obsidian Phonolite Phonotephrite Pumice Rhyodacite Rhyolite Tephra Tephriphonolite Trachyandesite Trachybasalt Trachyte Tuff Pyroclastic fall Pyroclastic flow Lists and groups Hotspot Lists of volcanoes Eruptions by death toll Decade Volcanoes Volcanic arc Volcanic belt Volcanic field monogenetic polygenetic Category Commons Portal WikiProject

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