- Bases of the theories of the movements of tectonic plates
- Examples of volcanic islands born from divergent movements
- Easter Island
- Hawaii
- Juan Fernández Archipelago
- References
The divergent movement of plates is the movement that is generated between two tectonic plates when the separation between them occurs, lava gushing from between them.
With the divergent movement, in the process of separation the faults are produced, which are translated into holes in the earth or the appearance of an underwater mountain line.
The plates of the lithosphere are set in motion due to the energy and heat produced by the magma that emerges from the seabed.
In the areas where two plates meet, the force of the magma manages to produce a separation between them. When this phenomenon occurs at the bottom of the ocean, the magma flows and solidifies, creating an underwater ridge.
Bases of the theories of the movements of tectonic plates
All these discoveries originate in 1960, when the studies of Alfred Wegener and his theory that explains the composition of the lithosphere were taken up.
With the discovery of tectonic plates and the study of movements, it was determined that when the forces that modify the lithosphere influence, volcanic and seismic activities occur that affect the earth's surface.
The Pacific plate is one of the largest. This plate limits with the North American one by the north; to the south with Antarctica; to the east with the San Andrés fault and to the west with the Eurasian fault. At these limits divergent edges are formed between the plates.
The main characteristic of the Pacific plate is the formation of hot spots. These points, during the divergent movement of the plates, have produced the growth of submarine ridges. These are created by magma as it solidifies, creating islands and archipelagos when they emerge to the surface.
This plate has great activity and its constant movements maintain frequent seismic and volcanic activity in the countries of South America, which are mostly located on it.
As evidence of the above, islands that have emerged in the region as a consequence of millions of years of activity can be indicated, which to date does not cease and continues to contribute to the formation of new surfaces that house all kinds of life forms within the new territories.
Examples of volcanic islands born from divergent movements
Easter Island
This island originated from the eruption of the Poike, Rano Kau and Terevaka volcanoes. It has a triangular shape, which is due to the physical location of the volcanoes and the union of the lava that gushed from each of them. This island is located in Chile.
Hawaii
It emerges from the eruption that occurred in the tectonic plates found in the Pacific Ocean. These eruptions formed an archipelago that is made up of 18 islands.
Juan Fernández Archipelago
This archipelago is located in Chile. It is said that its age is 1 or 2 million years, the product of constant volcanic eruptions.
It should be noted that not all archipelagos come from this type of movement. Some are the product of the separation of the continents; so island and archipelago are not necessarily synonymous with volcanic islands.
References
- Adam Hart - Davis. (2009). Science: The Definitive Visual Guide. London: Penguin.
- Aguilar, HC (2002). Nature and Society: An Introduction to Geography. Lima: PUCP Editorial Fund.
- Edwards, J. (2005). Plate Tectonics and Continental Drift. London: Evans Brothers.
- Melcher, G. (2004). The north of Chile: its people, deserts and volcanoes. Santiago de Chile: Editorial Universitaria.
- Park, R. (2013). Geological Structures and Moving Plates. UK: Springer Science & Business Media.