Earth volcanoes are formed primarily at tectonic plate boundaries, where the Earth's lithosphere is broken into several large and small pieces that interact with each other. The majority of volcanoes are found at subduction zones, where one tectonic plate is forced beneath another, creating a deep trench and generating intense heat and pressure, leading to the formation of magma. Volcanoes also form along spreading centers, where tectonic plates move apart, allowing magma to rise to the surface and create new crust. Additionally, volcanoes can occur at intraplate locations, far away from plate boundaries, often as a result of hotspots, which are stationary plumes of magma that rise from deep within the Earth's mantle. Examples of such hotspots include the Hawaiian Islands and Yellowstone National Park.
