Mariana Arc

The Mariana Arc is a chain of volcanic islands and underwater mountains formed by one tectonic plate sinking beneath another along the Mariana Trench, the deepest part of the world's oceans. This process, called subduction, causes magma to rise to the surface, creating volcanoes that build up over time. The arc includes islands like Guam and Saipan, and is part of a larger tectonic activity that shapes the region. It plays a key role in Earth's geological processes and has unique ecosystems, making it an important area for studying volcanoes, earthquakes, and plate tectonics.