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Consider the following statements.
  1. Volcanoes occur only when tectonic plates either move away from each other or where one pushes beneath another.
  2. Mantle is not made of uniform rock, and differences in the type of mantle rock make it melt at different temperatures.
  3. Both oceanic magma and continental magma have same chemical composition, but vary in explosion depending on magma chambers.
How many of the above statements are correct?
  • a)
    Only one 
  • b)
    Only two 
  • c)
    All three 
  • d)
    None
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
Consider the following statements. Volcanoes occur only when tectonic ...
  • Only statement 2 is correct.
  • Earth’s crust is made up of tectonic plates that are slowly moving, at about the same speed as a fingernail grows. Volcanoes typically occur where these plates either move away from each other or where one pushes beneath another. But volcanoes can also be in the middle of plates, as Hawaii’s volcanoes are in the Pacific Plate.
  • The crust and mantle that comprise the Pacific Plate cracks at different places as it moves northwestward. Beneath Hawaii, magma can move upward through the cracks to feed different volcanoes on the surface. The same thing happens at Haleakala, on Maui, which last erupted about 250 years ago.
  • Scientists hypothesize that the mantle is not made of uniform rock. Instead, differences in the type of mantle rock make it melt at different temperatures. Mantle rock is solid at some places, while it starts to melt at other places.
  • Hawaii is in the middle of an oceanic plate. In fact, it is the most isolated volcanic hot spot on Earth, far away from any plate boundary.
  • Oceanic magma is very different from continental magma. It has a different chemical composition and flows much more easily. So, the magma is less prone to clog volcanic vents on its ascent, which would ultimately lead to more explosive volcanism.
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Community Answer
Consider the following statements. Volcanoes occur only when tectonic ...
Statement 1: Volcanoes occur only when tectonic plates either move away from each other or where one pushes beneath another.
This statement is correct. Volcanoes are commonly associated with plate boundaries, where tectonic plates interact. Two types of plate boundaries are particularly prone to volcanic activity: divergent boundaries and convergent boundaries. Divergent boundaries occur when two plates move away from each other, creating a gap where magma rises to the surface, resulting in volcanic eruptions. Convergent boundaries occur when two plates collide, and one plate sinks beneath the other in a process called subduction. The subducting plate melts due to the high temperature and pressure in the Earth's mantle, leading to the formation of magma and volcanic eruptions.

Statement 2: Mantle is not made of uniform rock, and differences in the type of mantle rock make it melt at different temperatures.
This statement is correct. The Earth's mantle, which lies beneath the crust and above the core, is composed of various types of rocks. These rocks have different compositions and mineralogical properties, which influence their melting points. The mantle is not uniform in composition, and the presence of different minerals and elements can affect the temperature at which the mantle rocks melt. This variability in melting temperatures contributes to the diversity of magma compositions and the formation of different types of volcanoes.

Statement 3: Both oceanic magma and continental magma have the same chemical composition, but vary in explosion depending on magma chambers.
This statement is incorrect. Oceanic magma and continental magma have different chemical compositions. Oceanic magma, formed at divergent boundaries or during subduction, is generally basaltic in composition. It is rich in iron and magnesium and has a lower viscosity, making it more fluid and less explosive. Continental magma, on the other hand, is typically more silicic in composition, containing higher amounts of silica, aluminum, and potassium. Continental magma has a higher viscosity, which leads to a more explosive eruption when it reaches the surface.

Therefore, out of the three given statements, only the first statement is correct.
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Consider the following statements. Volcanoes occur only when tectonic plates either move away from each other or where one pushes beneath another. Mantle is not made of uniform rock, and differences in the type of mantle rock make it melt at different temperatures. Both oceanic magma and continental magma have same chemical composition, but vary in explosion depending on magma chambers.How many of the above statements are correct?a)Only oneb)Only twoc)All threed)NoneCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
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