Why do many oceanic volcanoes occur as long lines of volcanoes that are active at only one end?
A) The lithosphere moves over a stable hotspot in the mantle.
B) The mantle convection cell under the crust carries the magma source from one end of the line of volcanoes to the other.
C) The mantle plume that feeds the volcano rotates around the Earth's core, tracing new volcanoes as it does.
D) The spreading lithosphere pushes the underlying magma source across the ocean floor.
E) The active volcanoes are gradually moving away from the oceanic ridge.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Many oceanic volcanoes occur as long lines of volcanoes that are active at only one end because the lithosphere moves over a stable hotspot in the mantle. This means that the magma source stays in the same location, while the overlying plate moves, creating a chain of volcanoes. As the plate moves, the volcanoes that were previously active become extinct and new ones form at the other end of the chain. This process is known as hot spot volcanism.

Why Do Many Oceanic Volcanoes Occur as Long Lines of Volcanoes