Volcanoes form when molten magma forces its way through cracks in the Earth's crust. They can take cone shapes but also other forms. The melted rock that emerges from the volcano's crater is called lava, which destroys everything in its path due to its extreme heat. Volcanoes can be located on land or undersea, and erupt when gases and magma find a way to burst through vents to the surface. Eruptions can range from gentle to very violent.