what causes a volcano to take on a particular shape?
<answer> The movement of earth's tectonic  plates plays a significant role in the type of volcano formed, which influences its shape. <context> What causes Volcanoes? Volcanic activity frequently occurs at the boundaries of the Earth's tectonic plates which are a series of large blocks moving between each other. The movement of these plates plays a significant role in the type of volcano formed, which influences its shape.