volcanic arcs

Volcanic arcs are chains of volcanoes that form along tectonic plate boundaries, particularly where one plate is pushed under another, a process known as subduction. As the subducting plate sinks into the Earth’s mantle, it melts and creates magma, which rises to the surface, resulting in volcanic activity. This process often creates a curved line of volcanoes, typically found near oceanic trenches. Notable examples include the Cascades in the Pacific Northwest of the United States and the Andes in South America. Volcanic arcs are significant for understanding geological activity and the Earth’s tectonic processes.