Science Olympiad Dynamic Planet Practice Test

What is a characteristic feature of volcanic cones or cinder cones?

1. They form wide, low slopes

2. They mainly erupt multiple times

3. They are usually less than 400 meters high

4. They have a rapid and extensive lava flow

The correct answer is: They are usually less than 400 meters high

Cinder cones are a specific type of volcano characterized by their relatively small stature, typically reaching heights of less than 400 meters. This height is a result of the formation process, where volcanic ash, cinders, and other volcanic debris accumulate around the vent. The steep slopes of cinder cones are formed primarily through the explosive eruption of pyroclastic materials, which pile up around the eruptive vent. The limited height is significant because it differentiates cinder cones from larger volcanic structures, such as stratovolcanoes and shield volcanoes, which can grow to much greater elevations due to their different eruption styles and the types of materials that build them. Cinder cones often exhibit a more steeply conical appearance, which is a direct manifestation of their formation processes. Though they may erupt multiple times, the defining characteristic remains their smaller size compared to other volcano types, reinforcing the uniqueness of cinder cones in the broader landscape of volcanic formations.