Here's why:
* Lava Flows: Composite volcanoes are known for their thick, viscous lava that flows slowly and builds up steep slopes.
* Pyroclastic Material: They also erupt explosively, ejecting ash, rocks, and hot gases (pyroclastic material) that settle in layers around the cone.
This alternating pattern of lava and pyroclastic layers gives composite volcanoes their distinctive conical shape.
Some famous examples of composite volcanoes include Mount Fuji in Japan, Mount Vesuvius in Italy, and Mount Rainier in the United States.