10.3 – Plate Tectonics and Igneous Activity

Do Now How are the locations of volcanoes related to plate boundaries?

Do Now How are the locations of volcanoes related to plate boundaries? Plate motion provide the mechanisms by which mantle rocks melt to generate magma.

Key Words Magma Plume

Vocab Words Intraplate Volcanism

Plate Tectonics and Igneous Activity More than 800 active volcanoes have been identified worldwide. Most of them located in the Ring of Fire. The circum-Pacific belt A second group of them are found in deep-ocean basins. Hawaii and Iceland A third group are irregularly distributed in the interiors of continents. Erta Ale for example.

Ring of Fire

Converging Plate Boundaries The basic connection between plate tectonics and volcanism is that plate motions provide the mechanisms by which mantle rocks melt to generate magma. Ocean-Ocean Rising magma can form volcanic island arcs in an ocean (Aleutian Islands). Ocean-Continent Rising magma can form continental volcanic arcs (Andes Mountains).

Convergent Plate Boundaries

Convergent Plate Boundaries

Convergent Plate Boundaries

Divergent Plate Boundaries The greatest volume of volcanic rock is produced along the oceanic ridge system. Lithosphere falls apart Less pressure on underlying rocks Partial melting occurs Large quantities of fluid basaltic magma are produced

Divergent Plate Boundaries

Intraplate Igneous Activity Intraplate volcanism is igneous activity that occurs within a tectonic plate away from plate boundaries. Most intraplate volcanism occurs where a mass of hotter than normal mantle material called a mantle plume rises toward the surface. The activity forms localized volcanic regions called hot spots. Examples include the Hawaiian Islands and the Columbia Plateau.

Intraplate Igneous Activity

Group Challenge Question Describe the Ring of Fire