A '''volcano''' is a vent of some kind in the earth's crust through which [[magma]] is ejected. The magma frequently builds up in layers, resulting in the formation of mountains. Different types of magma produce different kinds of structures. Hot basaltic [[lava]], which has low viscosity, tends to produce flat shield volcanoes because it can flow long distances before cooling. [[Andesite]] and [[dacite]] lava generally produce cones, like those seen in the cases of [[Mt. Fuji]] and [[Mt. Rainier]], because the higher viscosity lava flows build up more dramatically near the vent
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[[Image:Volcano.jpg|thumb|300px|Snow-covered Kanaga Volcano in Alaska erupts a small column of tephra, gas, and steam. Kanaga is a stratovolcano. View is toward the west.]]A '''volcano''' is a vent of some kind in the earth's crust through which [[magma]] is ejected. The magma frequently builds up in layers, resulting in the formation of mountains. Different types of magma produce different kinds of structures. Hot basaltic [[lava]], which has low viscosity, tends to produce flat shield volcanoes because it can flow long distances before cooling. [[Andesite]] and [[dacite]] lava generally produce cones, like those seen in the cases of [[Mt. Fuji]] and [[Mt. Rainier]], because the higher viscosity lava flows build up more dramatically near the vent