Different types of Volcanoes and real life examples:

Shield Volcanoes: Shield volcanoes are low with gently sloping sides and are formed from layers of lava. Eruptions are typically non-explosive. Shield volcanoes produce fast flowing fluid [lava] that can flow for many miles. Eruptions tend to be frequent but relatively gentle. Although these eruptions destroy property, death or injury to humans rarely occurs.

- The chain of Hawaiian Islands make up one such group of volcanoes, with Mauna Loa and nearby Kilauea primary examples of shield volcanoes.

- Fernandina (and its Galápagos friends), Karthala, Erta Ale, Tolbachik, Masaya, and many others.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaChWgbn18Y

Composite Volcanoes-

Composite volcanoes, sometimes known as strato volcanoes, are steep sided cones formed from layers of ash and [lava] flows. The eruptions from these volcanoes may be a pyroclastic flow rather than a flow of lava. A pyroclastic flow is a superheated mixture of hot steam, ash, rock and dust. A pyroclastic flow can travel down the side of a volcano at very high speeds with temperatures over 400 degrees celsius. Composite volcanoes can rise over 8000 feet. When composite volcanoes erupt they are explosive and pose a threat to nearby life and property.

- Mount St. Helen, Mount Hood, and Mount Ranier are classic examples. Others from around the world, include Pinatubo in the Philippines, and Tungurahua in Ecuador

- Mount Fuiji- Cotopaxi, a big strato volcano near Quito, the capital city of Ecuad- Merapi, Galeras

Cinder Cone Volcanoes: Cinder cones are built from lava fragments called cinders. The lava fragments are ejected from a single vent and accumulate around the vent when they fall back to earth.Cinder cones grow rapidly and soon approach their maximum size. They rarely exceed 250m in height and 500m in diamet

- Paricutin Volcano in Mexico

Arenal volcano, in Costa Rica Composite

Colima volcano, in Western Mexico, composite

Santa Maria, in Guatemala, composite

Shield Volcano - Cedar Hill, located north of Great Salt Lake,

bears a resemblance to several Hawaiian shield volcano

Shield Volcano Rangitoto Island is a volcanic island in the Hauraki Gulf near Auckland, New Zealand.

Masaya, Active Shield Volcano, Nicaragua

Cinder Cone - Diamond Cinder Cone is one of several cinder cones near St. George in Washington County, Utah.

Paricutin is a cinder cone volcano in the Mexican state

View of Cinder Cone, Lassen Volcanic National Park, California, from the Cinder Cone Trail that leads to it