Final answer:
The three types of volcanoes are shield volcanoes, like Mauna Loa, which are generally not explosive; composite or stratovolcanoes, like Mount St. Helens, that can be quite explosive; and cinder cone volcanoes, like Parícutin, which are typically small and explosive.
Step-by-step explanation:
There are three main types of volcanoes: shield volcanoes, composite volcanoes (also known as stratovolcanoes), and cinder cone volcanoes. Shield volcanoes have gentle slopes and are formed by the effusive eruption of low-viscosity lava that can flow long distances. They are usually not explosive and a classic example is Mauna Loa in Hawaii.
Composite volcanoes exhibit a combination of explosive activity and lava flows. They have steeper profiles and their eruptions can be a serious threat to surrounding areas. Mount St. Helens in Washington State is an example of a composite volcano.
Cinder cone volcanoes are the smallest type, built from particles and blobs of congealed lava ejected from a single vent. They have steep sides, are typically explosive, and one example is Parícutin in Mexico.
Each type of volcanic activity has distinct characteristics and potential hazards associated with them, but explosiveness depends on factors such as magma composition and gas content, rather than the volcano type alone.