Question

Volcanoes and Earthquakes



Volcanoes and earthquakes happen all over the world, but one area experiences more activity than anywhere else. This area is called the Ring of Fire. It borders the edge of the Pacific Ocean and forms a horseshoe-shaped "ring" of active volcanoes and recorded earthquakes. The world map shows the locations of recent earthquakes and volcanic activity.



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The map shows several volcanoes in the middle of the Pacific Ocean that are not part of the Ring of Fire. How are these volcanoes different?


They form when two plates collide rather than when two plates separate.


They form when two plates slide past each other rather than when two plates collide.


They form when magma breaks through the middle of a plate rather than at plate boundaries.


They form when magma escapes through plate boundaries rather than in the middle of a plate.

Answer 1

They form when magma breaks through the middle of a plate rather than at plate boundaries.

These are hotspot (intraplate) volcanoes — e.g., Hawaii — caused by mantle plumes that melt the overlying plate, producing volcanoes away from plate boundaries.