Causes of Volcanic Eruption:

Volcanic eruptions are geological events resulting from the release of magma, gas, and volcanic ash from
within the Earth's crust. Several factors contribute to the initiation and occurrence of volcanic eruptions:

1. Subduction Zones:
- One common cause of volcanic eruptions occurs at subduction zones, where one tectonic plate is
forced beneath another. As the descending plate sinks into the mantle, it undergoes melting due to high
temperature and pressure.
- The resulting magma, less dense than the surrounding rock, rises through fractures in the overriding
plate, eventually reaching the surface and causing volcanic activity.
- The Pacific Ring of Fire is a notable region where numerous volcanic eruptions occur due to
subduction-related processes.

2. Mantle Plumes:
- Mantle plumes are columns of hot, buoyant rock rising from deep within the Earth's mantle. When a
mantle plume reaches the Earth's surface, it can create a hotspot, generating volcanic activity.
- As tectonic plates move over the stationary mantle plume, magma rises through the crust, forming
volcanic eruptions.
- Examples of volcanic hotspots include the Hawaiian Islands and the Yellowstone Caldera.

3. Mid-Ocean Ridges:
- Along mid-ocean ridges, divergent plate boundaries, magma rises from the mantle to create new
oceanic crust. Volcanic eruptions occur as magma ascends and erupts onto the ocean floor.
- These eruptions contribute to seafloor spreading and the formation of submarine volcanoes.
- The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is a significant example of a mid-ocean ridge system with extensive volcanic
activity.

4. Rift Zones:
- Rift zones are regions where tectonic plates are moving apart, creating fractures and allowing magma
to intrude into the Earth's crust.
- Volcanic eruptions in rift zones result from the upwelling of magma along these fractures.
- Rift zones are associated with the formation of linear chains of volcanoes, such as those found in the
East African Rift and the Rio Grande Rift.

Landforms Formed by Deposition of Lava:

When lava erupts onto the Earth's surface during a volcanic eruption, it cools and solidifies to form
various landforms. These landforms can be classified into two main types:

1. Volcanic Cones:
- Volcanic cones, also known as stratovolcanoes or composite volcanoes, form from the accumulation
of alternating layers of lava flows, volcanic ash, and volcanic debris.
- These cones have steep slopes and a symmetrical or conical shape.
- Examples include Mount Fuji in Japan and Mount St. Helens in the United States.

2. Lava Plateaus and Plains:

 - Lava plateaus and plains are extensive flat or gently sloping landforms formed by the eruption and
subsequent cooling of large volumes of lava.
- These landforms are characterized by their relatively smooth surfaces and vast expanses of solidified
lava.
- Examples include the Columbia River Plateau in the United States and the Deccan Plateau in India.

In conclusion, volcanic eruptions result from various geological processes, including subduction, mantle
plumes, divergent plate boundaries, and rift zones. The deposition of lava during volcanic eruptions
leads to the formation of diverse landforms, including volcanic cones, lava plateaus, and plains, which
shape the Earth's surface and contribute to its geologic diversity.