3.1.1. Causes of Vulcanism

The mechanism of vulcanism and the volcanic activity are associated with several processes, such as:

1. A gradual increase of temperature with increasing depth at the rate of 1 degree Celsius for every 32 m.

2. Magma is formed due to the lowering of melting point, which in turn is caused by the reduction in pressure of the overlying material.

3. Gases and vapour are formed due to heating of water, which reaches underground through percolation.

4. The ascent of magma forced by vast volume of gases and water vapour.

5. The occurrence of volcanic eruption.