At which type of plate boundary would a string of small volcanic islands most likely form?
convergent ocean-land boundary****
convergent ocean-ocean boundary
transverse boundary
divergent ocean-ocean boundary
To determine at which type of plate boundary a string of small volcanic islands would most likely form, we can analyze the characteristics of each type of boundary.
1. Convergent ocean-land boundary: This type of boundary occurs when an oceanic tectonic plate collides with a continental tectonic plate. The denser oceanic plate is forced beneath the less dense continental plate in a process called subduction. The subducting oceanic plate can melt and generate magma, leading to volcanic activity. This type of plate boundary can form volcanic arcs and mountain ranges on the continent, but it is less likely to create a string of small volcanic islands.
2. Convergent ocean-ocean boundary: When two oceanic tectonic plates collide, one subducts beneath the other, creating a trench. Volcanic activity can occur along the subduction zone, resulting in volcanic island arcs. This type of boundary is where most strings of small volcanic islands form, such as the Japanese Islands or the Lesser Antilles.
3. Transverse (transform) boundary: This boundary occurs when two plates slide past each other horizontally. While it can result in seismic activity, it does not commonly produce volcanic islands.
4. Divergent ocean-ocean boundary: This type of boundary occurs when two oceanic plates move away from each other, creating a gap where magma rises to fill the space. This can lead to volcanic activity, but it usually results in submarine volcanoes rather than a string of small volcanic islands.
Based on these explanations, the most likely type of plate boundary for a string of small volcanic islands to form is a convergent ocean-ocean boundary.