Volcanoes form when magma rises from below the Earth's surface and erupts through openings called vents. As magma builds up at the vent, it forms the volcano structure above ground. The main parts of a volcano include the vent, conduit that carries magma from the magma chamber below, and the cone or mountain shape built from erupted material. Volcanic eruptions can be explosive or quiet depending on the magma composition and amount of trapped gases.