How does the plate tectonic theory explain the formation of volcanic island chains?

How does the plate tectonic theory explain the formation of volcanic island chains?

As a crustal tectonic plates move over hot spots mantle material upwells and erupts on the surface of the plate to form a volcano, seamount or volcanic island. The islands and seamounts of the Hawaiian Archipelago were created by a hot spot under the Pacific Plate that has been active for the past 41 million years.

How does the theory of plate tectonics explain the location of volcanoes earthquake and mountain belts on Earth?

The theory of plate tectonics describes the motion of Earth’s plates and their role in geological processes, such as mountain building, earthquakes, and volcanoes. When two continental plates converge, neither is subducted. Rather, the crust is uplifted to form towering mountain ranges, such as the Himalayas.

How can a plate have both oceanic and continental crust?

Summary

1. When two plates come towards each other they create a convergent plate boundary.
2. The plates can meet where both have oceanic crust or both have continental crust, or they can meet where one has oceanic and one has continental.

What happens when two tectonic plates get stuck against each other?

The tectonic plates are always slowly moving, but they get stuck at their edges due to friction. When the stress on the edge overcomes the friction, there is an earthquake that releases energy in waves that travel through the earth’s crust and cause the shaking that we feel.

What is it called when two tectonic plates move away from each other?

Wikipedia Definition. In plate tectonics, a divergent boundary or divergent plate boundary (also known as a constructive boundary or an extensional boundary) is a linear feature that exists between two tectonic plates that are moving away from each other.

What is it called when one tectonic plates dives under another?

In some cases, however, a convergent plate boundary can result in one tectonic plate diving underneath another. This process, called “subduction,” involves an older, denser tectonic plate being forced deep into the planet underneath a younger, less-dense tectonic plate.

Which way are the plates moving?

The Pacific Plate is moving to the northwest at a speed of between 7 and 11 centimeters (cm) or ~3-4 inches a year. The North American plate is moving to the west-southwest at about 2.3 cm (~1 inch) per year driven by the spreading center that created the Atlantic Ocean, the Mid Atlantic Ridge.

How much do plates move in an earthquake?

These plates are constantly moving (albeit very slowly) at rates up to four inches per year (10 cm/yr) although most rates of travel are considerably less. Also, the rate of travel varies at different locations within each plate.