Volcanoes are formed when magma travels through the earth's mantle and crust, emerging as lava on the surface where it hardens into mountains. The main components of volcanoes are lava and ash. Most volcanoes are located near tectonic plate boundaries under the oceans. There are four main types of volcanoes that differ in shape. Volcanic eruptions can be triggered by pressure from gases, chemical reactions, or new magma injections. Eruptions expel lava, gas, and ash, which can block the sun for years and destroy nearby towns.