When people look at a tall peak, they may call it a mountain without thinking about how it formed. In fact, mountains can be made in several different ways, and volcanoes are only one kind of mountain.

Some mountains form when huge pieces of Earth's crust push against one another. The rock layers crumple and fold over millions of years, slowly lifting high above the land around them. The Himalayas in Asia formed this way. Other mountains form when large blocks of rock move up or down along cracks called faults. These are often called fault-block mountains.

Volcanic mountains form in a different way. Deep inside Earth, melted rock called magma can rise toward the surface. When magma breaks through, it is called lava. Layer after layer of cooled lava and ash can build up around the opening. Over time, this creates a volcanic mountain. Some volcanoes erupt often, while others stay quiet for many years.

Scientists use words such as active, dormant, and extinct to describe volcanoes. An active volcano has erupted recently or is likely to erupt again. A dormant volcano is "sleeping." It has not erupted for a long time, but it could erupt in the future. An extinct volcano is not expected to erupt again.

Not all mountains are volcanoes, and not all volcanoes look the same. Some are tall and cone-shaped. Others are broad with gentle slopes. Studying mountains and volcanoes helps scientists learn about Earth's past and about changes that may still happen. It also helps people who live near volcanoes plan for safety. By understanding how landforms are created, we can better understand the powerful forces shaping our planet.