What and how is a volcano formed?

Answer 1

Most volcanoes occur where two plates meet.

When two plates move apart causing a gap, hot molten rock called lava rises up between them; this type of volcano occurs on the ocean floor and is mostly invisible. If the amount of magma is large enough, it rises above the surface of the ocean and an island is created.

If two plates collide and one plate is forced beneath the other plate, the friction makes the first melt and magma rises up; only a few volcanoes on earth are formed like this, but their eruptions are the most violent and dangerous ones.

Sometimes volcanoes also form in the middle of the plates which are called hotpots; these are places that are connected by channels to the hot mantle of the earth.

Answer 2

A volcano is formed when magma from within the Earth's mantle rises to the surface through a vent or opening in the Earth's crust. Over time, repeated eruptions can build up layers of volcanic material, creating a cone-shaped mountain. The type of volcano formed depends on the composition of the magma and the eruption style.

Answer 3

Volcanoes form after thousands of years, and get their magma from inside the Earth.