Final answer:
Composite Volcanoes, also known as Stratovolcanoes, are large volcanic mountains with both explosive and non-explosive eruptions, formed from alternating layers of lava and pyroclastic materials. They are commonly associated with subduction zones or regions of continental plate collision.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of large volcanic mountains that can experience both explosive and non-explosive eruptions, and are characterized by alternating layers of lava flows and pyroclastic material, are known as Composite Volcanoes (also known as Stratovolcanoes). These structures signify some of the most iconic and potentially hazardous volcanoes on Earth. They are typically found at subduction zones or in regions where continental plates are colliding, which allows material from deeper within our planet to surface. An example of a composite volcano includes Mount St. Helens in the United States.
People live on or near active volcanoes for various reasons, including the fertility of volcanic soils for agriculture. Not all volcanoes pose the same risk; some, like those in Hawaii, have effusive eruptions where lava flows are more common than explosive activity. However, composite volcanoes can be particularly dangerous due to the potential for explosive eruptions, like those in Indonesia's Sumatra and Java islands, which pose significant risk to the densely populated areas nearby.