EQ1:Intra-plate activity

Question 1

What is the global distribution of volcanoes?

Answer 1

Commonly found at the regions where plate margins occur, for example around the Pacific Ring of Fire. However they can occur away from plate boundaries, at ‘hotspot’ regions

Question 2

What are volcanic hotspots?

Answer 2

-Volcanic hotspots are areas of intense volcanic activity that are not located at plate boundaries, where most volcanoes occur.
-hotspots create shield volcanoes with effusive but frequent eruptions

Question 3

How are volcanic hotspots formed?

Answer 3

1)Volcanic activity can exist near the centre of some plates (known as volcanic hotspots).
2)This is a result of the upwelling of exceptionally hot molten material from the upper lithosphere (mantle plume). 3)The mantle plume burns through the lithospheric crust, and escapes onto the surface of Earth or the sea bed.
4)The layers cool, harden and continue to build up over time until new volcanic islands have been created.
5)A chain of islands is created over millions of years as the tectonic plate movement results in the island being dragged away from the mantle plume. Thus, creating a chain of islands over time.
6)The active volcanoes which are situated above the mantle plume are known as shield volcanoes.They erupt low viscosity magma, frequently, which spreads a vast distance resulting in gently sloping, dome shaped volcanoes.

Question 4

What is an example of a volcanic hotpot chain?

Answer 4

Examples include The Emperor Sea Mount Chain (Hawaii) or Cape Verde islands.