Cinder Cones: The Scoria Cones of Basalt

What are fragments of volcanic rock and ash that build up to form cinder cones known as?

Cinder cones are known as what?

Answer:

Scoria cones

Cinder cones, also known as Scoria cones, are volcanic cones made of basalt at low density. The fragments of volcanic rock and ash that build up to form cinder cones are known as pyroclasts. When gas bubble in the lava expands energetically in all directions and are ejected through the vent of a volcano, these pyroclasts fail to stick together due to pressure and cool down before reaching the ground, forming what is known as scoria cones.

Scoria cones are typically small in size and have steep slopes. They are formed from eruptions that are primarily explosive, ejecting pyroclastic materials high into the air. These materials accumulate around the vent, building up layers of fragmented basaltic rock and ash to create the characteristic cone shape.