Translation guide
A steep-sided volcano built from alternating layers of lava, ash, and rock fragments. In Japanese, the standard term is 複成火山, but the more common 成層火山 is often used interchangeably in geology.
composite volcano
Most common term; also called 複成火山 (ふくせいかざん) in technical contexts.
The learner wants to refer to the specific type of volcano known in English as a composite volcano or stratovolcano.
Both terms refer to the same type of volcano. 成層火山 (stratovolcano) is more frequently used in general and educational materials, while 複成火山 (composite volcano) is a direct translation and appears in some scientific literature. For most purposes, 成層火山 is recommended.
This is the most common term in Japanese for a composite volcano, literally 'stratified volcano'. It is widely used in textbooks, media, and scientific contexts.
Mt. Fuji is a composite volcano.
The direct translation of 'composite volcano', meaning 'compound volcano'. It is technically accurate but less common than 成層火山 in everyday usage.
A composite volcano consists of alternating layers of lava and ash.