A
parasitic cone (also
adventive cone or
satellite cone) is the cone-shaped accumulation of volcanic material not part of the central vent of a
volcano. It forms from eruptions from fractures on the flank of the volcano. These fractures occur because the flank of the volcano is unstable. Eventually, the fractures reach the magma chamber and generate eruptions called
flank eruptions, which, in turn, produce a
parasitic cone.