Why is it some areas along where two plate boundaries meet there are volcanos and in some areas there are none?

Answer 1

There are three types of boundaries:

1. Convergent

2. Divergent

3. Transform

There are two types of plates:

1. Continental

2. Oceanic

Volcanoes only form along convergent and divergent plate boundaries.

To be exact, they only form along continental-oceanic convergent boundary, as well as oceanic-oceanic and continental-continental boundaries.

At convergent boundaries, volcanoes are formed because of melting crust of the subduction plate (the oceanic plate subducting under the continental plate). They then seep out of the ground as subduction volcanoes.

At divergent boundaries, volcanoes are formed because magma rise to the surface to fill the gap where the plates move apart.

A third type of volcano that can form is a hotspot volcano. There exists a spot in the ground where magma is continuously rising. However, plates move so as the plates move, the volcanoes move with them. Hence, new volcanoes are formed and this creates a chain of volcanoes, such as Hawaii.

Hope this helps!

Sharon, 12th grade Geography student

Answer 2

Volcanoes are commonly found at plate boundaries because the movement of tectonic plates causes magma to rise to the surface. The type of plate boundary also affects the type of volcanic activity. For example, convergent boundaries can lead to explosive volcanoes due to subduction, while divergent boundaries can result in more effusive volcanic activity. Areas without volcanoes along plate boundaries may have different geological conditions that do not favor the formation of volcanic activity.