Regarding the distribution of volcanoes around the world, consider th...
- Atlantic coasts have very few volcanoes and that too dormant ones.
- The Pacific Ocean has many volcanoes due to its activeness in volcanic eruptions called the Ring of Fire.
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Regarding the distribution of volcanoes around the world, consider th...
The correct answer is option 'B' - 2 only. Let's discuss each statement in detail:
1. The Atlantic coasts have many active volcanoes.
This statement is incorrect. The Atlantic coasts do not have many active volcanoes. In fact, the Atlantic Ocean is relatively less volcanic compared to the Pacific Ocean. The majority of the volcanic activity is concentrated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, which is a major area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur. The Atlantic Ocean does have a few volcanic islands, such as Iceland, but the overall number of active volcanoes is significantly lower compared to the Pacific Ocean.
2. The Pacific Ocean has the highest number of active volcanoes in its coasts thanks to folded and faulted Landforms.
This statement is correct. The Pacific Ocean has the highest number of active volcanoes in its coasts, primarily due to the presence of folded and faulted landforms. The Pacific Plate, which is the largest tectonic plate on Earth, is surrounded by several smaller plates, and the interactions between these plates create a highly dynamic geological environment. The subduction of oceanic plates beneath continental plates along the Pacific Ring of Fire leads to the formation of volcanic arcs, where volcanic activity is common. These arcs include the Andes in South America, the Cascade Range in North America, and the Japanese archipelago, among others.
The folded and faulted landforms in these areas are a result of the tectonic forces acting on the Earth's crust. The subduction of oceanic plates leads to the formation of deep ocean trenches and uplifts of mountain ranges. These processes create favorable conditions for the formation of magma chambers and the subsequent eruption of volcanoes. The volcanic activity along the coasts of the Pacific Ocean is not only the highest in terms of numbers but also in terms of intensity and diversity.
In conclusion, the statement "The Pacific Ocean has the highest number of active volcanoes in its coasts thanks to folded and faulted landforms" is correct, while the statement "The Atlantic coasts have many active volcanoes" is incorrect.
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