Composite cones are steeper than cinder cones at the top but become more gently sloping at the base. In the US these are the volcanoes in the Cascade Mountains including Mt. Saint Helens, which erupted in 1980. These flows can travel up to 60 miles from the volcano. The largest type of volcano are shield volcanoes. Unlike composite or cinder cones, these volcanoes are gently sloping.
Shield volcanoes are common in the Hawaiian islands.
Hawaii Currently erupting Eruption began 1983 Eruptions of shield volcanoes are not as violent as composite cone volcanoes. Smooth flows of lava erupt from fissures and move down the volcano. These flows travel up to a couple of miles per hour.