volcanic arc

volcanic arc

n.

A usually arc-shaped chain of volcanoes located on the margin of the overriding plate at a convergent plate boundary.

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volcanic arc  (vl-knk, vôl-)

A curved chain of volcanoes in the overriding tectonic plate of a subduction zone. Volcanic arcs form as the result of rising magma formed by the melting of the downgoing plate. They are curved because of the curvature of the Earth. The Andes mountains form a volcanic arc. See also island arc.