Which type of volcano typically forms steep slopes due to its explosive nature?

Cinder cone volcanoes are characterized by their steep slopes, which result from the explosive eruptions that build up layers of volcanic debris, such as ash, tephra, and larger volcanic rocks. During an explosive eruption, molten lava is ejected forcefully into the air, causing it to fragment into small pieces that fall back to the ground around the vent. This accumulation of materials creates the cone shape typically associated with cinder cone volcanoes, resulting in their steep profile.

In contrast, shield volcanoes have broad, gentle slopes formed by the accumulation of low-viscosity lava that can flow over long distances, creating a more gradual incline. Dome mountains are formed by the slow extrusion of viscous lava, resulting in a rounded shape but not as steep as cinder cones. Extinct volcanoes are those that have not erupted in a long time and may have eroded slopes, presenting less predictable forms. Thus, the explosive nature of cinder cone volcanoes is what gives them their distinctively steep slopes.