Each volcano type produced by the Anahim hotspot has its own unique life cycle of growth and erosion. Volcanic cones have their origins from tephra accumulating around vents during Strombolian eruptions. They are composed of trachyte, trachyandesite, basalt, phonolite, basanite and to a lesser extent phonotephrite. In contrast, lava domes are formed mainly by viscous trachytic magma that erupts effusively onto the surface and then piles up thick around vents. Considering the generally small dimensions of these two volcano types, they are likely the products of episodic and short-lived activity. Larger structures such as Satah Mountain, Baldface Mountain and Mount Punkutlaenkut are exceptions. Once activity has ended, erosion eventually reduces the cones and domes into volcanic remnants such as lava plugs.