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In Context
- Slowing of continental plate movement was noted according to a new study published in Science Advances.
More about the study
- Slowdown of continental plates in the past:
- A slowing of continental plate movement may have been the critical event that drove some of Earth’s most devastating extinction events.
- Researchers used models to reconstruct the location of continents in different periods.
- After comparing these models with the age of volcanic activity, they observed that the continents moved at less than two centimetres per year.
- A slowing of continental plate movement may have been the critical event that drove some of Earth’s most devastating extinction events.
- Potential slowdown in the future:
- In the future, there is a possibility that continental plates may slow down, potentially triggering volcanic activities, according to researchers.
- It may be challenging to predict in detail where and when that may happen.
- In the future, there is a possibility that continental plates may slow down, potentially triggering volcanic activities, according to researchers.
- The process of slowdown and volcanism:
- The slowdown in movement of continental plates gives the underlying mantle more time to erode the continent’s base, ultimately leading to volcanic activity.
- This is similar to placing paper under a candle. When the paper is moved swiftly over the candle, it may turn black but is unlikely to burn as a whole.
- But if the paper moves slowly over the flame, there is enough time to burn the paper completely.
- The slowdown in movement of continental plates gives the underlying mantle more time to erode the continent’s base, ultimately leading to volcanic activity.
- Significance of volcanic eruptions:
- Previous studies have linked major volcanic eruptions with past mass extinctions and disturbances in the global climatic, environmental and the carbon cycle.
- Large igneous province volcanism, formations due to major volcanic eruptions occurring throughout Earth’s history, released large quantities of greenhouse gasses and toxic compounds into the atmosphere.
- The sea warmed up by 4°C to 10°C, even at low- to mid-latitudes.
- Increased acidic levels and a lack of oxygen drove major ocean extinctions.
Plate Tectonic Theory/Plate Tectonic
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More about Volcanism
- Volcano:
- A volcano is a feature in Earth’s crust where molten rock is squeezed out onto the Earth’s surface.
- Magma is an extremely hot liquid and semi-liquid rock located under Earth’s surface.
- When magma flows onto Earth’s surface, it is called lava.
- Along with lava, volcanoes also release gases, ash, and solid rock.
- Volcanic mountains:
- When the lava cools and hardens, it forms into the cone-shaped mountain we think of as a volcano.
- Volcanic mountains:
- A volcano is a feature in Earth’s crust where molten rock is squeezed out onto the Earth’s surface.
- Volcanism and movement of tectonic plates:
- Most of the world’s volcanoes are found around the edges of tectonic plates, both on land and in the oceans.
- Volcanoes occur along both convergent (subduction) and divergent (rift) boundaries but are generally absent along strike-slip plate margins.
- Difference between convergent (subduction) and divergent (rift) volcanoes:
- Most subduction-related volcanoes are explosive and build stratovolcanoes, while rift volcanoes tend to be more effusive and build shield volcanoes, though there are exceptions to both these generalities.
- Subduction-related volcanoes erupt basalt, andesite, dacite, and rhyolite, andesite being the predominant rock type.
- Rift-related volcanoes, especially on the ocean floor, erupt mainly basalt.
- Most of the world’s volcanoes are found around the edges of tectonic plates, both on land and in the oceans.
- Geographical spread of volcanoes:
- Subduction volcanoes:
- The volcanoes on the western and northern margin of the Pacific Plate (New Zealand, New Guinea, Mariana Islands, Japan, Kamchatka, and the Aleutian Islands) are all subduction volcanoes.
- Rift volcanoes:
- The rift volcanoes are largely hidden along the submarine crest of the East Pacific Rise and the Pacific-Antarctic Ridge.
- Pacific ring of fire:
- The Ring of Fire is a string of volcanoes and sites of seismic activity, or earthquakes, around the edges of the Pacific Ocean.
- Roughly 90% of all earthquakes occur along the Ring of Fire, and the ring is dotted with 75% of all active volcanoes on Earth.
- Subduction volcanoes:
Source: DTE
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