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Eruptions
Volcanoes are the opening to the surface through which magma and gas from beneath Earth's crust can escape. Eruptions are caused when magma density is such that it pushes toward the surface. They also happen when too much water starts to bubble in the magma, causing pressure and an eventual eruption. Finally, when existing magma stores are suddenly disrupted by a new flow of magma, it can cause the existing magma to flow out the top of the volcano.
Explosions
Some volcanic eruptions are more explosive than others. Those that are very explosive can be among the most deadly types of eruptions. A powerful explosion can blow rock and debris far into the air, creating flying objects that can damage land and property and kill bystanders. Explosions may also lead to rockslides, which in turn sometimes lead to mudslides if they occur near already present water. Finally, because much of the material sprayed after an explosion of this type is so hot, fires are another danger that must be contended with.
Lava
Once molten magma reaches the surface and starts to flow out from a volcano, it is called lava. Lava is extremely hot, molten rock that destroys nearly anything it touches. Lava may explode violently out of a volcano during an eruption or flow slowly. It typically flows more slowly as it cools. According to the research of archeologists, a large lava flow surged out of Mount Vesuvius in the famous eruption thousands of years ago, which destroyed the entire city of Pompeii.
Ash
The final effect of a volcanic eruption is the ash that it spews into the air. Depending on the eruption type, the amount of ash a volcano puts out can range from small to catastrophic. The ash is dangerous to people who might encounter it or breathe it, and can wreak tremendous havoc. In 2010, for example, the explosion of ash from a volcano in Iceland grounded thousands of flights all across Europe.