Scoria cones often grow by the accumulation of individual particles transported ballistically in Strombolian-type eruptions. Alternative models of cone formation suggest that cones are built primarily of fallout from the eruption column in more explosive eruptions, often termed violent Strombolian. Currently, the distinction between normal Strombolian and violent Strombolian is based on direct observations of eruptions or by inference of eruption characteristics from mapping of tephra fall deposits. Unfortunately, medial to distal tephra fall deposits erode rapidly, leaving behind only the near-vent facies of scoria cones which are thicker and less easily eroded. Therefore, a tool that is capable of delineating differences between low-energy Strombolian deposits and higher energy violent Strombolian deposits from investigation of the preserved scoria edifice is necessary. Ground-penetrating radar imaging of Cerro Negro, an active basaltic scoria cone in Nicaragua, has revealed details of cone deposits at depths of up to 12 m. The record of the 1992 eruption, which was observed to be violent Strombolian, shows quantifiable differences from normal Strombolian near-vent facies, including reflections in the downwind profile that are continuous for hundreds of meters and through the slope break. The ability to differentiate between tephra fallout and ballistically emplaced deposits at Cerro Negro suggests ground-penetrating radar imaging may be useful in distinguishing eruptive style in older scoria cones, where the medial to distal tephra deposits are eroded or buried.