A type of volcanic activity which produces frequent, moderate eruptions. The lava is basaltic, but sufficiently viscous for entrapped gases to build up a pressure which is released in continuous small explosions. Lava, flung into the air, falls back to build up a steep-sided cone of interbedded lava and tephra. Lava flows are commonly erupted through breaches in the flanks of the cone. See volcano. Compare hawaiian eruption; peléean eruption; plinian eruption; surtseyan eruption; vesuvian eruption; vulcanian eruption.