A stratovolcano, also known as a composite volcano, is a tall, conical volcano built up by many layers (strata) of hardened lava, pumice, ash, and tephra. These volcanoes are characterized by their steep sides and explosive eruptions due to the high-viscosity magma that they contain. Examples of stratovolcanoes include Mount Fuji in Japan and Mount St. Helens in the United States.
