1. **A hot magma source develops in the Earth's crust.**
- This is where it all begins. Deep within the Earth, molten rock (magma) accumulates in a reservoir.
2. **Magma forces into a weakness in the crust to form a vent.**
- The pressure from the magma pushes it upward, finding a path through cracks or weaknesses in the Earth's crust. This forms a volcanic vent.
3. **Molten lava erupts out of the vent onto the Earth's surface.**
- As the pressure builds, the magma erupts through the vent, spewing molten lava onto the surface.
4. **More eruptions of lava and ash come from the vent and coalesce to build the volcano.**
- Over time, repeated eruptions deposit layers of lava and ash around the vent, gradually forming the volcanic cone.
5. **Molten lava cools on the Earth's surface to form a small hill or mount.**
- The lava cools and solidifies, creating the familiar shape of a volcanic hill or mountain.