cinder cones

Cinder cones are small, steep-sided volcanic hills formed from ejected volcanic ash, cinders, and lava fragments. When a volcano erupts explosively, the magma explodes into the air, breaking into fragments that fall around the vent, building up a cone shape. These cones typically have a symmetrical, conical form with a crater at the top. They are usually a few hundred meters high and are common in volcanic regions worldwide. Cinder cones are relatively simple structures, created over short periods during eruptions, and they provide insight into volcanic activity and the nature of the magma involved.