Geography 07 _ Mains Questions
Geography 07 _ Mains Questions
Geography 07 _ Mains Questions
Geography–Mains Question 07
Approach:
❖ Introduction: Explain what archipelago is.
❖ Body: Explain the geography and physical processes in the formation of these islands of the region.
❖ Conclusion: Conclude your answer with a summary of the answer.
Answer:
The Indonesian and Philippine archipelagos are renowned for their thousands of islands. The formation of
these islands is a result of complex geological processes that have taken place over millions of years.
Understanding the mechanisms behind the formation of these islands is crucial for developing strategies to
mitigate the potential hazards associated with natural phenomena in these regions.
Plate Tectonics and Volcanism:
❖ The Role of Plate Tectonics: The islands of Indonesia and the Philippines are located along the Pacific
Ring of Fire, a region characterized by active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes. This region is also the
site of intense plate tectonic activity, where several tectonic plates collide and interact with each other.
❖ The Subduction Process: The islands of Indonesia and the Philippines are situated on the boundaries of
several tectonic plates, including the Eurasian Plate, the Philippine Sea Plate, the Pacific Plate, and the
Indo-Australian Plate. The interaction of these plates has created a zone of subduction, where the denser
oceanic plate is forced beneath the less dense continental plate.
❖ Volcanic
Eruptions: The
subduction of the
oceanic plate
results in the
melting of rock in
the Earth's mantle,
which generates
magma that rises to
the surface and
forms volcanoes.
Over time,
repeated volcanic
eruptions can
result in the accumulation of volcanic material, which can build up and eventually create new islands.
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