Volcanologists have classified volcanoes into groups based on the shape of the volcano, the materials they are built of, and the way the volcano erupts.

     The groups are:

• Composite Volcanoes (also called strato volcanoes),
• Shield Volcanoes (also called shields),
• Cinder Cones,
• Spatter Cones, and
• Complex Volcanoes (also called compound volcanoes).