Shield Volcanoes
Shield volcanoes(also called volcanic shields) get their name from the low, sloping form of a fighting shield. They look like this because they are made out of countless numbers of basaltic ( slow flowing) lava. The lava builds up and forms thick layers, eventually making a dome. The dome is relatively flat because the volcano erupts non-explosively. Such flows can spread for long distances, like pouring syrup un on pancake. Shield volcanoes can be either small or large, the largest is many times larger than the largest composite volcano. Mauna Loa and Kilauea are shield volcanoes located in Hawaii.
Picture courtesy of USGS