Topic summary
Cinder cone
A cinder cone or scoria cone is a steep, conical landform of loose pyroclastic fragments, such as volcanic ash, clinkers, or scoria, that has been built around a volcanic vent. The pyroclastic fragments are formed by explosive eruptions or tall Hawaiian-style 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 scoria (which is also referred to as cinder) and clinker around the vent to form a cone that is often symmetrical, with slopes between 30° and 40° and a nearly circular base. Most cinder cones have a bowl-shaped crater at the summit.