Which property of cone-shaped volcanoes in the Ring of Fire makes them particularly dangerous?

• A. They erupt explosively due to high-viscosity magma trapping gases.
• B. They only emit harmless steam during eruptions.
• C. They are composed entirely of basalt, which prevents explosive eruptions.
• D. Their eruptions are always slow and predictable.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the question is about the characteristics of cone-shaped volcanoes, specifically those in the Ring of Fire, and what makes them dangerous.
2. Recall that cone-shaped volcanoes, also known as stratovolcanoes, typically have magma with high viscosity, which means the magma is thick and sticky.
3. Recognize that high-viscosity magma traps gases inside the volcano because the thick magma does not allow gases to escape easily.
4. Understand that the trapped gases build up pressure inside the volcano, which can lead to explosive eruptions when the pressure is suddenly released.
5. Conclude that the dangerous property of these volcanoes is their tendency to erupt explosively due to high-viscosity magma trapping gases, rather than slow or harmless eruptions.