Which of the following statements is correct regarding volcanic erupti...
Volcanic Eruptions at Transform Boundaries
Transform boundaries are a type of plate boundary where two tectonic plates slide past each other. Unlike convergent and divergent boundaries, transform boundaries are not associated with volcanic activity. Therefore, option D is the correct statement regarding volcanic eruptions.
Explanation
Volcanic eruptions occur at divergent and convergent boundaries, but not at transform boundaries. Divergent boundaries occur where two tectonic plates move away from each other, and magma rises from the mantle to fill the gap. This type of boundary is associated with volcanic activity, leading to the formation of shield volcanoes.
Convergent boundaries occur where two tectonic plates collide, and one plate subducts beneath the other. This type of boundary is associated with explosive volcanic activity, leading to the formation of composite volcanoes.
Caldera volcanoes, on the other hand, are formed when the roof of a magma chamber collapses after a massive eruption, leaving behind a large depression or caldera. Deccan Traps in India is an example of a large igneous province formed by flood basalt volcanism, not caldera volcanoes.
Batholiths are a type of intrusive igneous rock that forms deep within the earth's crust. They are not associated with volcanic eruptions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, volcanic eruptions do not typically occur at transform boundaries. They are associated with divergent and convergent boundaries, leading to the formation of shield and composite volcanoes, respectively. Caldera volcanoes are formed by massive eruptions, while batholiths are a type of intrusive igneous rock.
Which of the following statements is correct regarding volcanic erupti...
1. Shield Volcanoes:
- Barring the basalt flows, the shield volcanoes are the largest of all the volcanoes on the earth. The Hawaiian volcanoes are the most famous examples.
- These volcanoes are mostly made up of basalt, a type of lava that is very fluid when erupted. For this reason, these volcanoes are not steep.
- They become explosive if somehow water gets into the vent; otherwise, they are characterised by lowexplosivity. The upcoming lava moves in the form of a fountain and throws out the cone at the top of the vent and develops into cinder cone.
2. Composite Volcanoes:
- These volcanoes are characterised by eruptions of cooler and more viscous lavas than basalt.
- These volcanoes often result in explosive eruptions. Along with lava, large quantities of pyroclastic material and ashes find their way to the ground. This material accumulates in the vicinity of the vent openings leading to formation of layers, and this makes the mounts appear as composite volcanoes.
3. Caldera:
- These are the most explosive of the earth’s volcanoes. They are usually so explosive that when they erupt they tend to collapse on themselves rather than building any tall structure. The collapsed depressions are called calderas. Their explosiveness indicates that the magma chamber supplying the lava is not only huge but is also in close vicinity.
4. Flood Basalt Provinces:
- These volcanoes outpour highly fluid lava that flows for long distances. Some parts of the world are covered by thousands of sq. km of thick basalt lava flows. There can be a series of flows with some flows attaining thickness of more than 50 m. Individual flows may extend for hundreds of km.
- The Deccan Traps from India, presently covering most of the Maharashtra plateau, are a much larger flood basalt province. It is believed that initially the trap formations covered a much larger area than the present.
5. Batholiths:
- A large body of magmatic material that cools in the deeper depth of the crust develops in the form of large domes.
- They appear on the surface only after the denudational processes remove the overlying materials.
- They cover large areas, and at times, assume depth that may be several km.
- These are granitic bodies. Batholiths are the cooled portion of magma chambers.
6. Volcanoes do not typically occur at transform boundaries. One of the reasons for this is that there is little or no magma available at the plate boundary. Hence option (d) is the correct answer.
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