What type of volcano is made up of layers of lava that form a wide, gently sloping structure?

The type of volcano characterized by layers of lava that create a wide, gently sloping structure is a shield volcano. These volcanoes are primarily built from low-viscosity basaltic lava that can flow over long distances, allowing them to spread out and create the broad, dome-like shape typical of shield volcanoes. Their gentle slopes are a result of the fluidity of the lava, which allows it to accumulate in wide layers rather than forming steep-sided structures.

In contrast, cinder cone volcanoes are typically smaller and have steep slopes, formed from the accumulation of volcanic debris such as ash and tephra, rather than layered lava flows. Composite volcanoes, also known as stratovolcanoes, are characterized by their steep profiles and are formed from alternating layers of viscous lava and volcanic debris, which results in a more conical shape. While strato volcanoes refer to the same type as composite volcanoes, the key distinguishing feature remains their steepness compared to the gentle gradients of shield volcanoes.