volcanicarc

A volcanic arc is a curved chain of volcanoes that forms parallel to a convergent plate boundary. This geological feature typically arises from the subduction of one tectonic plate beneath another. As the subducting plate descends into the Earth's mantle, it heats up and releases water. This water lowers the melting point of the overlying mantle wedge, causing it to melt and form magma. The buoyant magma then rises through the crust and erupts at the surface, creating volcanoes.

Volcanic arcs can be found both on continents and in the ocean. Continental volcanic arcs, such as the Andes Mountains in South America or the Cascade Range in North America, form along the edges of continents where oceanic plates subduct beneath continental plates. Island volcanic arcs, like the Mariana Islands or the Aleutian Islands, form in the ocean where one oceanic plate subducts beneath another oceanic plate. These arcs are often associated with deep ocean trenches on the subducting side and can be responsible for significant seismic activity. The geological processes that create volcanic arcs are fundamental to understanding plate tectonics and the Earth's dynamic nature. They are also a source of natural resources and can pose significant hazards to human populations.