How to Create a Volcano in Minecraft

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Last Updated: October 3, 2021

Whether you're building a Tiki island, an evil lair, a science experiment, or just want to mess around with some lava, there are a variety of ways to build a volcano in Minecraft. The only limit is on your imagination, and they amount of time you're willing to spend.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Building the Volcano

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1
Find a mountain you want to convert, or build your own. Beginners might want to take an existing mountain and make it your volcano, but making your own mountain is easy as well. You'll need the following blocks:
- Cobblestones (to make the base of the pyramid)
- Lava
- Red Stone Torches (Optional)
- Sticky Pistons (Optional)
- Fireworks (Optional)
Start by setting up a basic pyramid, which is much easier to build. To do it, build a large square or circle. On top of this square, put another outline of blocks, moved in one space to the center. Keep making these squares, each one block shorter on each side, until you only have one block on top. The inside should be hollow.

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3
Add ridges, features, and mountain like valleys into the side. Once you have your pyramid, add and subtract blocks to sculpt your volcano into the correct shape.
- Beginner builders can also stick to the pyramid shape as well.
- Remove the top of the volcano.
- Build a platform 3-4 layers underneath the top of the volcano. Make sure there are no holes in it -- this holds your lava.
You can build ruts or cut out openings in the sides of the mountain to make it flow, or simply let it bubble over and around the top.
This takes some work, but you can put dispensers on the platform you've made and fill it with arrows and redstone torches.
In your crater, place a layer of obsidian down for the platform, as it won't explode. Then place an ignition block (redstone switch) down in the corner and fill the platform with a layer of TNT. Top the rest off with 4-5 layers of gravel, then pour lava into the last 1-2 layers, right up to the rim of the volcano. Ignite and enjoy!

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Building a Mini-Volcano

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Find a place to make your volcano, it can be on land or water.
Make it out of what you like.
Pour Lava on top.
Pour Water on top. This will create a layer of cobblestone over your volcano.
Use the Empty bucket to scoop the water.
Use Grass blocks, Ice, snow. You know just be creative.

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Question

Can I make a house out of a hollow mini volcano in Minecraft?

Community Answer

Of course! You can use lava to secure your home sweet home.

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Question

Can I shoot lava from dispensers?

Community Answer

Yes, you can. Place a dispenser and tap/right-click it. Drag a lava bucket into any slot. Activate it via redstone.

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Question

Can I make it in the sky?

Community Answer

Yes, as long as you don't use sand or a block that falls, otherwise the volcano will fall.

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Tips

It's best to do this project in creative mode, since it requires a lot of resources and is pretty dangerous.

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If you don't want to scoop the water with a bucket block the water source and the water will dry up then block the place where the water is then destroy the blocks.

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If you are not a fan of lava, you could use water instead.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Don't put blocks over blocks on the volcano to try to stop the lava from flowing because the lava will just go over the blocks and spread even more.
If your house is a wooden house, then do not build the volcano near your house because it can burn down.
If you hollow out a large mini volcano, you could have a pretty cool cave-like house.
Have a bucket of water just in case you make a mistake with the lava.
You can use campfires to make a smoke effect.

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