Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea are the tallest volcanic mountains on Earth. They have broad, shallow slopes. What kind of volcanoes are they?

cinder cone
composite
shield
rhyolitic

1 answer

Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea are classified as shield volcanoes. Shield volcanoes are characterized by their broad, gently sloping sides and are formed primarily by the eruption of low-viscosity basaltic lava that can flow over long distances. This results in the broad, shallow slopes typical of these types of volcanoes.