What type of volcano is Mount Vesuvius?

Mount Vesuvius is classified as a stratovolcano, which is characterized by its conical shape and is built up from multiple layers of hardened lava, tephra, and volcanic ash. This type of volcano is known for its explosive eruptions due to the high viscosity of its magma, which can trap gases until they are released violently. The eruptions of Mount Vesuvius, especially the catastrophic eruption in 79 AD that buried the towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum, exemplify the explosive nature typical of stratovolcanoes.

In contrast, cinder cone volcanoes are smaller, built primarily from pyroclastic fragments that accumulate around a single vent, leading to a steep, conical shape but generally much less explosive activity. Shield volcanoes have broad, low-profile shapes formed by the eruption of low-viscosity lava that can flow over great distances; they tend to produce relatively gentle eruptions without the explosive power of stratovolcanoes. Lava domes are formed from the slow extrusion of highly viscous lava, creating a dome-shaped mound, typically within the craters of other volcanic systems. Each of these types of volcanoes exhibits distinct physical characteristics and behaviors, making the stratovolcano classification a precise