Stratovolcano
A stratovolcano has a fairly steep, conical shape (synonym: composite cone). It is built by the eruption of viscous
lava flows and pyroclastic material (tephra). Usually constructed over a
period of tens to hundreds of thousands of years, a stratovolcanoes may erupt a variety of magma types, including
basalt, andesite, dacite,
and rhyolite. All but basalt commonly generate highly explosive eruptions. A
stratovolcano typically consists of many separate vents, some of which may have produced cinder cones
and domes on the volcano's flanks.
Facts and Figures: Of Earth's 1511 volcanoes known to have erupted in the past 10'000 years, 699 are stratovolcanoes. Earth's
highest volcano is a stratovolcano; Nevado Ojos del Salado in Chile is 6887 m above sea level. The highest volcano with historic
eruptions is Llullaillaco, Chile, at 6739 m. Both volcanoes are located in the northern Chilean Andes.
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SOL-team members have voted Stromboli «nicest stratovolcano in the world» ;-). Photo: J. Alean |