Cinder cones form through a layer by layer stacking process. After lava is ejected from the ground, it breaks apart into smaller particles or cinders and accumulates around the lava vent. As a result, the newly fallen particles slowly solidify into a cone-like structure as lava flows down the sides. The lava congeals and hardens, adding a layer to the cone. As the process continues, the cinder rises higher and higher as more cinder accrues around the vent. Eventually, a full-sized cone is produced, rising up to heights of 1000 feet (some even higher). Cinder cones are especially prevalent in North America as well as other active volcanic areas in the world.
An example of a cinder cone is the Parícutin cone found in Mexico. The special feature about this cone is that it rises more than 1,200 feet, the result of constant nine-year expansion that started in 1943. After the volcano had become dormant, it had buried the town of San Juan and covered a surface area of 100 square miles worth of ashes. Despite this destruction, scientists have learned much about volcanoes' forming process, destructive properties and resulting products.
Cinder Cones 
