Volcanoes can be classified according to the type of eruptions they exhibit. There are three main types of volcanoes on this basis: explosive, quiet and intermediate.
Explosive or Stratocone: The structure of this volcano is steep-sided. It gives out lots of gas, ash, pumice but less amount of lava. The lava which is released is stiff and the explosion mostly contains silica.
Quiet: These volcanoes have gentle slopes. They give out lots of lava with minor explosion. The lava is mainly basalt and is more fluid. Lava flows for a longer time.
Intermediate: They are a combination of explosive and quiet volcanoes. Mount Vesuvius of Naples in Italy is an intermediate type.