Geological Feature Patterns
Earthquakes and Volcanoes
Standard 5.1.1
Most earthquakes and volcanoes occur in bands that are often along the boundaries between continents and oceans while major mountain chains may be found inside continents or near their edges.
Most earthquakes and volcanoes occur in bands that are often along the boundaries between continents and oceans while major mountain chains may be found inside continents or near their edges.
Scientists study and record seismic data and volcanic activity in order to support the theory of plate tectonics. The evidence proves that there is a district relationship between seismic activity, volcanic activity, and the lithospheric plate boundaries.
Earthquakes
The interaction along plate boundaries results in an increased frequency of earthquakes at those locations. Additionally, stronger earthquakes are more likely to occur along active plate boundaries. The San Andreas fault in California is an example of an active transform plate boundary.
Volcanoes
The interaction of plate boundaries results in an increased frequency of volcanic activity at these locations. Volcanoes occur at plate boundaries were subducting oceanic crust is melted. This magma rises through the crust to form volcanoes and volcanic island arcs.
The Ring of Fire
The Pacific Ring of fire is a region of high volcanic and seismic activity that surrounds the majority of the Pacific Ocean Basin. The Pacific Ring of Fire is made up of converging plate boundaries that border the Pacific Ocean basin. Scientists use volcanic activity data from this area to show the relationship between volcanic activity and lithospheric plate motion.
Hot Spot
A volcanic hot-spot is an area in the mantle from which heat rises in the form of a thermal plume from deep within the Earth. The magma rises through the cracks in the Earth's crust and erupts to form volcanoes. As the tectonic plates continue to move over a stationary hot-spot, the volcanoes break away and move along with the plate allowing new volcanoes to form in their place. This plate tectonic movement over a hot-spot results in chains of volcanoes, such as the Hawaiian Islands.