What is Cinder Rock?
This volcanic rock has been used for many years as a more conventional decorative stone. Black or cinder stands out in a planter or flower bed due to its dark complexion and rough, porous surface.
Use: Cinder, sometimes referred to as “lava rock,” is a fantastic material for landscaping. It can be applied to water feature accents, flower beds, and ornamental landscapes.
Although they are both volcanic landforms, cinder cones and lava domes have different formation, structure, and properties:
Dome of Lava
Formation: Viscous lava builds up close to the vent and slowly extrudes to form lava domes. This lava is more viscous than basaltic lava because it is usually andesitic, dacitic, or rhyolitic in composition.
Shape: They resemble domes and frequently have small bases and steep sides. As the lava cools and solidifies, the surface may become rough and fractured.
Lava domes are typically smaller than cinder cones, though they can vary in size. As more lava is extruded over time, they may enlarge.
Lava dome eruptions are typically less violent, but they can still result in pyroclastic flows in the event that the dome collapses or the lava becomes overly pressurized.
The Cinder Cone
Formation: The accumulation of volcanic debris, mostly tiny lava fragments known as cinders, which are released during violent eruptions, forms cinder cones. Around the vent, these pieces gradually return to the ground to form a hill in the shape of a cone.
Shape: They are conical and steep, and at the top is a bowl-shaped crater. The slopes can be fairly steep and are usually uniform.
Size: Cinder cones can grow to a height of several hundred meters and are typically larger than lava domes.
Style of Eruption: Cinder cone eruptions typically produce a large amount of ash and cinders and are explosive. Lava flows that might emanate from the base can also be produced by them.
In conclusion, cinder cones are constructed from the accumulation of ejected volcanic fragments and have a steep, conical shape, whereas lava domes are formed from the slow extrusion of viscous lava and have a dome-like shape. Lava domes are less explosive than cinder cone eruptions, which are usually more explosive. The eruption styles also vary.