Composite cone volcanoes such as Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker, Mt. Garibaldi, and Mt. Fuji are common in subduction zones. Off the West Coast of British Columia, the Juan de Fuca plate is subducting underneath the North American plate. As the Juan de Fuca plate (oceanic plate) dives down into the upper mantle (i.e. the asthenosphere), its leading edge melts and magma rises towards the surface helping to build the volcano. Composite cone volcanoes are the largest volcanoes consisting of alternating layers of lava and ash/cinders.

Shield cone volcanoes are very broad but have a more gentle slope than composite cones or cinder cones. Hawaii is famous for its shield cone volcanoes such as Mauna Loa and Kilauea.

Basaltic refers to a lava type - low viscosity and fast moving - rather than a volcano. Basaltic lavas are common where oceanic plate materials melt such as with the shield cone volcanoes of Hawaii and along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

A caldera is a large crater that forms if a volcanic neck implodes during a violent and sudden expulsion of magma.