When plates collide, one often slides beneath another. The sinking landmass experiences intense heat and pressure, causing rock to melt and form magma .
Repeated eruptions cause layers of cooled lava and ash to build up, eventually forming the characteristic mountain shape known as a volcanic edifice . Stages of Activity volcanoi
Most volcanoes are created by the movement of —massive slabs of the Earth's lithosphere that are constantly shifting. When plates collide, one often slides beneath another
Magma is the term for molten rock while it is still underground. Once it breaks through the surface, it is called lava . Stages of Activity Most volcanoes are created by
Volcanoes are openings in the Earth's crust through which molten rock, gases, and ash erupt onto the surface. They are a fundamental part of the Earth's geological cycle, acting like safety valves that release pressure built up deep within the planet. How Volcanoes Form
Volcanologists categorize volcanoes based on their history and potential for future eruptions: