Explain How Different Landscapes With Distinctive Features Form As A Result Of Volcanic And Seismic Processes

Explain how different landscapes with distinctive features form as a result of volcanic and seismic processes (70 marks).

Introduction

Volcanic and seismic processes, along with plate tectonics, have created a range of landscapes across the world. According to the USGS, volcanic processes are where lava, ash and hot gases erupt from an opening in the earth’s crust whereas seismic processes are where the release of stress along faults causes sudden movement in the earth’s crust.

Volcanic and seismic processes occur due to the movement of plate tectonics. The theory of plate tectonics was first proposed by Alfred Wegener in 1912. This theory states that the crust of the earth was split into plates that moved along the earth’s surface. However, this theory wasn’t accepted well at the time due to there not being an explanation for how these plates moved. It wasn’t until the 1930’s that

It formed due to both volcanic and seismic processes. (INSERT DESTRUCTIVE PLATE BOUNDARY DIAGRAM FOR PINATUBO) Here, the Eurasian plate and the Philippine plate are moving towards each other due to convection cells in the mantle. The heavier oceanic Philippine plate subducts under the continental Eurasian plate, creating a subduction zone where a trench forms underwater. The Eurasian plate is still being pushed towards the Philippine plate, but cannot move further forwards due to the subduction. This causes the back of the plate to fold up to release the stress and Fold Mountains formed. As the Philippine plate subducts further into the mantle, it melts and the molten magma rises in plutons. The plutons form a magma chamber under the fold mountain and when the pressure rises, the volcano erupts. Subsequent eruptions build up the volcano in layers of ash and lava. This destructive plate boundary created a distinct stratovolcano through extrusive volcanic processes as well as seismic