(continued) Type of plate movement
Description
Examples
4. Hotspots
There are places where volcanic eruptions occur away from plate boundaries. This occurs when there is a weakness in the oceanic plate, allowing magma to be forced to the surface, forming a volcano. As the plate drifts over the hotspot , a line of volcanoes is formed. This is the most active tectonic region, shaped like a horseshoe around the Pacific Ocean. Formed by the movement of tectonic plates, it leads to many volcanoes and earthquakes. The Pacific Plate is being subducted under the North American Plate on its east and north sides, and under the Philippine and Australian plates on its west side. The Ring of Fire is an almost continuous line of volcanoes and earthquakes. Most of the world’s earthquakes occur here, and 75 per cent of the world’s volcanoes are located along the edge of the Pacific Plate.
Hawaiian Islands
5. Pacific Ring of Fire
Nazca and Cocos plates (South America), Pacific Plate (North America, Philippines)
SkillBuilder discussion Geographical inquiry
1. Study FIGURE3. Are most plate boundaries found on land or in the ocean? 2. Describe where the landmass of Australia is located on the Australian Plate. 3. Describe the interconnection between plate boundaries and volcanoes around the Pacific Ring of Fire.
FIGURE3 World map of plates, volcanoes and hotspots
362 Jacaranda Humanities Alive 8 Victorian Curriculum Third Edition
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