How do volcanoes form?

Volcanoes form when molten rock (magma) from beneath the Earth’s crust reaches the surface, either through cracks or vents. This can occur at convergent plate boundaries, where plates collide, or divergent boundaries, where plates pull apart. As the magma rises, it erupts, releasing gases, ash, and lava. Over time, repeated eruptions build up layers of volcanic material, creating the cone-shaped structure of a volcano. The movement of tectonic plates and the buildup of pressure within the Earth’s mantle are key factors in volcanic activity.