2 Volcanoes


Figure 1 shows the locations of the world’s major volcanoes. The map shows that most volcanic activity happens at or near: l destructive plate boundaries, where crustal plates collide l constructive plate boundaries, where plates separate. It is clear, therefore, that plate tectonics or the movement of crustal plates is a major cause of volcanic activity.


So many volcanoes occur around the edges of the Pacific Plate that the area is called the Pacific Ring of Fire. Most of these volcanoes are on destructive plate boundaries.


famous volcanoes volcanic activity plate boundary


Fuji


Mount St Helens


Pacific Ocean


Krakatoa


Indian Ocean


Pacific Ocean


Mauna Loa (Hawaii)


Cotopaxi Nevada


Montserrat del Ruiz


Atlantic Ocean


Vesuvius Etna


Volcanoes can also be found over places called hot spots. Most hot spots are far from plate margins (boundaries), but are at places where particularly hot magma exists beneath the earth’s surface. You will learn more about ‘hot spot volcanoes’ on page 15.


Heimaey


1 Volcanic activity, volcanoes and tectonic plate boundaries. Indicate whether each of the following statements is true or false: (a) All volcanic activity takes place on or close to plate boundaries. (b) Volcanic activity is common along a constructive plate boundary beneath the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. (c) Vesuvius and Etna are both located at a destructive plate boundary. (d) Fuji, Mount St Helens and Mauna Loa are all located on the Pacific Ring of Fire. (e) Fuji is located on a convergent plate boundary.


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