Science Olympiad Dynamic Planet Practice Test

Cinder cones are typically built from which types of materials?

1. Lava flows and ash

2. Scoria and pyroclastics

3. Thick lava domes

4. Fluid low-viscosity lava

The correct answer is: Scoria and pyroclastics

Cinder cones are primarily built from materials such as scoria and pyroclastics. Scoria is a type of volcanic rock that is characterized by its vesicular texture, created by the rapid cooling of gas-charged lava which results in bubbles forming within the rock as it solidifies. This material is typically ejected explosively from a volcano, contributing to the formation of the cone shape. Pyroclastics refer to the fragments of volcanic rock and ash that are expelled during explosive eruptions. These materials accumulate around the vent, forming the steep, conical structure that is characteristic of cinder cone volcanoes. The other options do not accurately represent the predominant materials that comprise cinder cones. For example, while lava flows and ash are common in many types of volcanic formations, they do not specifically define the unique construction of cinder cones, which are more closely associated with the explosive ejection of scoria and pyroclastics. Furthermore, thick lava domes and fluid low-viscosity lava pertain to different volcanic activity types, such as those seen in stratovolcanoes and shield volcanoes, respectively, which produce different shapes and features. Hence, the materials most representative of cinder cone construction are indeed scoria