From the Pacific Ring of Fire to the Mediterranean shores, composite volcanoes punctuate landscapes and shape local communities, ecosystems and travel routes. Their layered eruptions have left readable records in rock and remain important to anyone studying hazards, geology or regional geography.
There are 20 Examples of Composite Volcanoes, ranging from Colima to Stromboli. For each entry you’ll find below Country,Coordinates (lat, lon),Elevation (m).
How are composite volcanoes different from shield volcanoes?
Composite volcanoes form steep, conical profiles from alternating layers of lava, ash and fragmented rock; their magmas are typically more viscous (andesitic to dacitic), producing more explosive eruptions than the broad, fluid-lava flows of shield volcanoes.
What hazards do composite volcanoes pose to nearby communities?
They can generate ash plumes, pyroclastic flows, lava domes and destructive lahars; ash can disrupt air travel and infrastructure, while rain on loose volcanic deposits raises lahar risk—monitoring, clear evacuation routes and land-use planning are essential to reduce impacts.
Examples of Composite Volcanoes
| Name | Country | Coordinates (lat, lon) | Elevation (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Fuji | Japan | 35.36, 138.73 | 3,776 |
| Mount Vesuvius | Italy | 40.82, 14.43 | 1,281 |
| Mount Etna | Italy | 37.75, 14.99 | 3,329 |
| Stromboli | Italy | 38.79, 15.21 | 924 |
| Mount St. Helens | United States | 46.20, -122.18 | 2,550 |
| Mount Pinatubo | Philippines | 15.13, 120.35 | 1,486 |
| Mayon | Philippines | 13.26, 123.68 | 2,463 |
| Popocatépetl | Mexico | 19.02, -98.62 | 5,426 |
| Colima | Mexico | 19.51, -103.62 | 3,820 |
| Mount Merapi | Indonesia | 7.54, 110.45 | 2,930 |
| Mount Tambora | Indonesia | -8.25, 118.00 | 2,850 |
| Cotopaxi | Ecuador | -0.68, -78.44 | 5,897 |
| Klyuchevskaya Sopka | Russia | 56.06, 160.64 | 4,750 |
| Sakurajima | Japan | 31.59, 130.66 | 1,117 |
| Mount Shasta | United States | 41.41, -122.19 | 4,322 |
| Mount Hood | United States | 45.37, -121.70 | 3,429 |
| Mount Erebus | Antarctica | 77.53, 167.17 | 3,795 |
| Mount Elbrus | Russia | 43.35, 42.44 | 5,642 |
| Mount Kilimanjaro | Tanzania | 3.07, 37.35 | 5,895 |
| Fuego | Guatemala | 14.48, -90.88 | 3,763 |
Images and Descriptions
Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji is Japan’s iconic symmetric stratovolcano, last erupting in 1707 (Hoei eruption). Rising 3,776 m near Tokyo, it’s a major cultural symbol, tourist destination and poses severe tephra and lahar hazards to dense surrounding populations.
Mount Vesuvius
Mount Vesuvius, a classic Mediterranean stratovolcano, last erupted in 1944. Towering 1,281 m above Naples, it famously destroyed Pompeii in AD 79 and remains one of the most dangerous volcanoes due to the large nearby population.
Mount Etna
Mount Etna is Europe’s tallest and most active stratovolcano, with frequent eruptions (most recently 2023). At 3,329 m it dominates Sicily, producing lava flows, ash and dramatic flank eruptions that attract scientists and tourists alike.
Stromboli
Stromboli, a small but persistently active stratovolcano in the Aeolian Islands, produced near-continuous Strombolian eruptions (ongoing; activity noted in 2023). The island’s nightly eruptions are a classic example of mild, regular explosive activity.
Mount St. Helens
Mount St. Helens, a well-known stratovolcano in Washington State, famously produced a catastrophic 1980 eruption. Elevation 2,550 m, last eruptive activity occurred 2004–2008 during dome growth; it’s a key study site for volcanic hazards and recovery.
Mount Pinatubo
Mount Pinatubo, a high-profile destructive stratovolcano, erupted cataclysmically in 1991. At 1,486 m, its eruption produced global climate effects and large ash deposits; the volcano remains monitored though its major eruptive phase ended in the early 1990s.
Mayon
Mayon Volcano is famed for its near-perfect cone and explosive activity, last erupting in 2018. Standing 2,463 m in Luzon, its frequent eruptions produce pyroclastic flows and lava that threaten nearby communities.
Popocatépetl
Popocatépetl, near Mexico City, is an active and hazardous stratovolcano that last erupted in 2023. Rising 5,426 m, it’s constantly monitored; ash emissions, explosions and dome growth pose major risks to millions in surrounding urban areas.
Colima
Volcán de Colima (Colima) is Mexico’s most active stratovolcano, with frequent eruptions; notable activity occurred in 2015. Summit height 3,820 m, it produces ash plumes and pyroclastic flows and is closely watched by authorities.
Mount Merapi
Mount Merapi on Java is Indonesia’s most active stratovolcano, last erupting in 2023 with deadly pyroclastic flows. At 2,930 m it frequently produces dome collapses and explosive events that threaten nearby villages and complicate evacuation planning.
Mount Tambora
Mount Tambora, a stratovolcano on Sumbawa, produced the colossal 1815 eruption that removed the summit (present height ~2,850 m). Its 1815 eruption caused the “year without a summer” and massive regional devastation; it’s a benchmark for global climatic impact.
Cotopaxi
Cotopaxi, a snow-capped stratovolcano in Ecuador, last had notable eruptions in 2015. Rising 5,897 m, it’s one of the world’s highest active stratovolcanoes; lahars from glacial melt represent a major hazard to downstream towns.
Klyuchevskaya Sopka
Klyuchevskaya Sopka, Kamchatka’s tallest active stratovolcano, last erupted in 2020 (with frequent activity historically). At 4,750 m it produces powerful lava fountains and pyroclastic flows and is a landmark of the Ring of Fire.
Sakurajima
Sakurajima is one of Japan’s most active stratovolcanoes, last erupting in 2023 with frequent explosive ash emissions. Its 1,117 m summit overlooks Kagoshima Bay and regularly disrupts air travel and local life with ash fall.
Mount Shasta
Mount Shasta is a large stratovolcano in northern California, elevation 4,322 m, last eruptive episodes occurred in the 18th–19th centuries (approx. 1786 reported). It’s a prominent landmark and potential hazard to regional communities.
Mount Hood
Mount Hood, Oregon’s stratovolcano, last erupted around the 1790s (minor activity reported in historic accounts). At 3,429 m it towers over the Columbia River Gorge and is closely monitored for future explosive or lahar-producing eruptions.
Mount Erebus
Mount Erebus hosts a persistent lava lake and continuous activity since 1972. At 3,795 m this Antarctic stratovolcano emits frequent gases and occasional explosions; its extreme environment provides unique insights into magmatic processes.
Mount Elbrus
Mount Elbrus, a dormant stratovolcano in the Caucasus, rises to 5,642 m and is Russia’s highest peak. Last known eruptions are prehistoric (Holocene) with no recorded historic eruptions; it’s a major mountaineering destination with glaciated slopes.
Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro is a large volcanic massif composed of stratovolcano cones; Kibo summit reaches 5,895 m. Last eruptions were prehistoric (Holocene) with no recent activity; it’s Africa’s highest peak and a popular trekking destination.
Fuego
Fuego erupted devastatingly in 2018. It’s an active stratovolcano near Antigua Guatemala, summit 3,763 m, producing pyroclastic flows, lava and ash; frequent eruptions make it one of Central America’s most dangerous volcanoes.
