Types of Volcano and Associated Hazards

Types of Volcano and Associated Hazards

This page includes detailed resources on the three main types of volcano and their associated eruptions and hazards. The lesson begins with a short map activity based on the Mount St Helens eruption. Students then go on to complete annotated diagrams of the three main types before using the animated presentation and gallery to complete the worksheet on types of eruption and causes. There is also a detailed PDF resource for note taking on processes at plate boundaries as well as a number of interactive resources. Students then complete a card sort activity on types of volcanic hazards before classifying them into primary and secondary hazards. There is a plenary quiz and noting sheet to complete as well as a model exam question.

Enquiry Question

How do volcanoes vary from place to place?

Lesson Time: 3 Hours

Lesson Objectives:

  • To describe and explain the processes, features and hazards at different plate boundaries
  • To describe the characteristics of volcanoes including shield, composite and cinder
  • To explain the different types of volcanic eruption; and associated secondary hazards, including pyroclastic flows, lahars, landslides

Teacher Notes:

Starter - Using the map evidence and the diagram students should explore the nature of the eruption and the types of hazards experienced

Plate Boundary Processes and Features - Student can then use the interactive map provided to complete the noting sheets on the types of plate boundary, processes and associated hazards. Teacher talk needs t support this as follow to their work. This is a time consuming activity so plenty in addition to the follow up.

Volcano types - Students can then complete the worksheet on types of volcano  either working independently on the site or it can be teacher led.

Types of Eruption - You can then use the excellent animation to explain silica rich magma and exsplosivity differences with eruptions- students complete the noting sheet that goes with this.

Lesson 3 - Starter Activity - Types of Volcanic hazard - Hand out the card sort and students can match the diagram of hazard with the correct name and explanation.

Types of Volcanic Hazard - The starter can be followed up with the noting worksheet based on the card sort

Plenary Activity - Use the drag and drop activity to match the hazards to the correct place on the diagram

Student Assessment - Contrasting volcanoes - Students should then answer the assessment (in-class) to explain the characteristics and associated hazards of two contrasting volcanoes.

Starter Activity - Mount St Helens 1980 - Processes and Spatial Interaction

Study the map and graphic image below and describe the nature of th eruption and the types of hazards experienced


Student Activity - Plate Boundaries - Processes

Using the  interactive resource below complete the worksheets on plate boundaries and volcanic activity

Plate Boundaries and Volcanic Activity

Extended Reading - Comprehensive animated presentation on Volcanic Activity

Extended Reading - Comprehensive animated presentation on Plate Movement and Plate Boundary Processes


Student Activity - Volcano Types - Processes

Using the resources below complete your worksheet on the three main types of volcano

Types of Volcano Worksheet

Cinder Cones

Cinder cones are one of the most common types of volcano and are less dangerous compared to other types. They usually reach heights between 30 and 400 meters. They are formed normaly through a single vent and opening. The volcano forms a steep cone shape with a single crater. Its slopes are made of erupted cinder matrial and have an angle of betwen 30 and 40 degrees.

The eruption of cinder cones can be very sudden and can last for several years before becoming exstinct or dormant. When the volcano erupts, lava is ejected but colls rapidly in the air coming cinder. These fragmented cinders fall a short distance from the opening, creating the cone.

Paricutin Cinder Cone, Mexico

Shield Volcanoes

Shield volcanoes can be very big in size, although their size is often hidden by the ocean.  Shield volcanoes can be huge because of their ample supply of magma. For example, Mauna Loa in Hawaii rises more than 9000 meters above its base on the bottom of the ocean. Shield volcanoes may be tall but tend to be very broad, with less steep slopes than other volcanoes. They have slopes of around 10 degrees, reducing to 5 degrees near the summit.

The eruption of lava out of shield volcanoes consists of fast flowing lava, usually ah ah lava, which is low is viscosity and fast moving. This explains the huge breadth of shield volcanoes.

Composite Volcanoes

Composite volcanoes or strato-volcanoes are large volcanoes rising up to 3000 meters in height and can range anywhere from 1-10 km in diameter. The structure of composite volcanoes is tall and symmetrical and with steep sides, around 6 degrees , rising to 30 degrees close to the crater.

Their eruptions are dangerous and explosive in nature, with many layers of lava and pyroclastic materials, the current of rock and gas that can reach over 900 °C and travel at speeds faster than 700 kmph. In addition, they erupt hot gases, ash, lava, and pumice as well as stiff, slow-moving lava. Moreover, deadly mudflows—also commonly known as ‘lahars’—can also accompany the eruption.

Student Activity - Types of Eruption - Processes

Study the animation below and add notes to your worksheet to explain:

  1. why magma rises through crust
  2. the different types of magma

Magma and Volcanoes

Student Activity - Volcanic Hazards - Processes

Study the card sort and:

  1. match the diagram with the correct hazard title and description
  2. sort the hazards into primary and secondary hazards

Hazards Card Sort

Noting Worksheet

Pyroclastic Flow

Pyroclastic flow is a fast-moving current of hot gas and volcanic matter (collectively known as tephra) that moves away from a volcano reaching speeds of up to 300 km/h and temperatures of between 700°C and 1,000 °C. At lower layer the flows moves in a sheet form as a layer of thick ash and gas. In the upper layer the a ash cloud moves forms. Pyroclastic flows normally touch the ground and move fast downhill , or spread laterally under gravity. Their speed depends upon the density of the current, the volcanic output rate, and the gradient of the slope.


Mount St Helens Eruption

The Eruption Column

This primary hazard results in the immediate of the eruption and vary in size depending on the type of eruption. Plinian eruptions can reach 20-40km in height. The lower section is known as the gas thrust region and forms due to the pressure release of trapped gas withing the magma chamber. Above this convective currents lift the column higher before it mushrooms out tin the umbrella region

Ash Fall

Ash fall from ash clouds cover the largest area and is made up of tephra, which is fine pieces (2mm) of pulverized rock, minerals and volcanic glass. Ash fall on the surface can reach meters in height and clog rivers and lakes. When combined with heavy rainfall from storms, fast moving mudflows called lahars result. Acid rain is also s econdarty hazard associated with ash fall. In addition the air is choked with as, which can lead to both humans and animals to asphyxiate. Heavy ash fall can also cause weake roofs in homes and barns to collapse.

Lava Flow

Lava flows are the least hazardous of all processes in volcanic eruptions. How far it travels depends on the temperature, silica content, extrusion rate, and slope of the land. Slower lava flow is associated with composite volcanoes due to its high silica content and viscosity. Faster flowing flowing lava such as a a lava and pahoahoa lava  are low viscosity so flow much further from the volcano spreading over larger surface areas

Pahoahoa Lava

A a Lava


Lahars are a type of mudflow composed of a slurry of pyroclastic material, rocky debris, and water. The material flows down from a volcano, typically along a river valley. Lahars vary in size and speed. Small lahars less than a few meters wide and several centimeters deep may flow a few meters per second. Large lahars hundreds of meters wide and tens of meters deep can travel at fast speeds. With the potential to flow at speeds up to 100 kilometers per hour, and flow distances of more than 300 kilometers, a lahar can cause catastrophic destruction in its path.



The surface of volcanoes are unstable and made mostly of loose rock. This means they are easily susceptible to landslides. Volcanic gases create acidic groundwater, which contributes to the rocks' breakdown, increasing the weakness and instability in the volcano flank, further increasing the likelihood of landslides.

Glacial Outburst Floods

A glacial outburst flood can be triggered by geothermal heating and occasionally by a volcanic subglacial eruption. Sometimes referred to as jökulhlaups based on their Icelandic name they emerge from hydrostatically-sealed lakes with floating levels far above the threshold, their peak discharge can be much larger than that of a marginal or extra-marginal lake burst. They cause rapid and devastating floods in and around the immediate location of the volcano and glacier.

Student Activity - Name that Hazard - Processes


  • A.                           Landslide 
  • B.                          Pyroclastic Flow 
  • C.                         Lahar 
  • D.                         Lava Tube 
  • E.                         Eruption Column 
  • F.                        Ash Fall




Total Score:

Student Assessment  - Exam question - Processes

Study the diagram below.

Explain the characteristics of two contrasting types of volcano and their associated hazards located on the diagram. (3+3)

Clear and accurate reference to types of volcano and their location in terms of plate boundary

Excellent knowledge and understanding of how volcanoes and their associated hazards contrast, evidence in terms of place examples

Tectonic Processes and Associated Volcanic Activity
