CHAPTER 9 · VOLCANOES & PLATE BOUNDARIES — STUDY Earth Science ·
LESSON 1 GUIDE Grade 6
Name: ________________________ Date: __________ Period: ______
PART 1: CORE CONCEPTS & NOTES
What Is a Volcano?
A volcano is a land or underwater feature that forms when magma reaches the surface of Earth. Magma
is molten rock found underground; once it reaches the surface it is called lava. Magma rises because it is
less dense than the surrounding solid rock — the buoyant force pushes it upward. Volcanoes can erupt
liquid lava, hot gases, and solid rock particles.
How Do Volcanoes Form?
Heat and pressure from Earth's interior cause rock to partially melt and form magma. Three key conditions
that cause melting: (1) a drop in pressure, (2) addition of water to rock, (3) extreme temperature
increase. Once magma forms, buoyancy drives it toward the surface. It erupts through a vent
(circular/oval opening) or a fissure (elongated crack).
Convergent Plate Boundaries
When two plates collide, the denser plate is pushed under — this is called subduction. The subducted
plate melts and generates magma that rises to form volcanoes. Volcanic Arc: oceanic plate subducts
under continental plate → string of land volcanoes (e.g., Cascades, Andes). Island Arc: two oceanic
plates converge → curved chain of volcanic islands (e.g., Japan, Aleutian Islands). These volcanoes tend
to erupt VIOLENTLY due to high gas and silica content in magma.
Divergent Plate Boundaries
Plates are pulled apart by tension forces. Magma fills the gap. Mid-Ocean Ridge (Oceanic): lava erupts
on the seafloor, cools quickly, forms new crust; can build islands like Iceland. Continental Rift
(Continental): a long valley drops between separating plates; magma rises at the rift (e.g., East African
Rift). Eruptions here are generally gentler (effusive) because magma is lower in silica and gas.
Hot Spots
Some volcanoes form away from plate boundaries over localized areas of intense mantle heat called
hot spots. A fixed mantle plume melts the plate above it. As the plate moves, the volcano is carried away
and a new one forms — creating a chain of volcanic islands over millions of years. Example: Hawaiian
Islands (formed over ~5 million years; Big Island is youngest and most active). Another example:
Yellowstone (continental hot spot).
Fissure Eruptions
A fissure eruption occurs when magma escapes from narrow, elongated cracks in Earth's crust. Magma
pushes out from both sides, flows smoothly, and creates flat, sheet-shaped landforms or lava plateaus.
Occurs at divergent boundaries (mid-ocean ridges, rift valleys) and sometimes over hot spots. Contrasts
with vent eruptions, which build cone-shaped volcanoes.
The Ring of Fire
A belt of active volcanoes that circles the Pacific Ocean, containing approximately 75% of Earth's active
volcanoes and about 90% of its earthquakes. It exists because the Pacific Ocean is surrounded by
convergent plate boundaries where oceanic plates are subducting. Notable Ring of Fire volcanoes: Mount
St. Helens (USA), Mount Fuji (Japan), Krakatoa (Indonesia), Mount Pinatubo (Philippines).
PART 2: KEY VOCABULARY
Volcano
A land or underwater feature that forms when magma reaches Earth's surface. Can erupt liquid lava,
hot gases, and solid particles. Word origin: Italian vulcano = 'burning mountain.'
Magma
Molten (melted), liquid rock material found UNDERGROUND. Forms igneous rocks when it cools.
Lava
Magma that has reached Earth's surface. Lava cools quickly and hardens into igneous rock.
Vent
The central, circular or oval-shaped opening in a volcano through which magma erupts. Lava flowing
from a vent builds a cone-shaped landform.
Fissure Eruption
An eruption where magma escapes through a long, narrow crack (fissure) in Earth's crust. Creates flat,
sheet-shaped landforms.
Hot Spot
A localized area of high heat deep in Earth's mantle, away from plate boundaries. Produces volcanic
chains as the plate moves over the fixed plume.
Subduction
The process where a denser plate is forced beneath a less dense plate at a convergent boundary,
causing the subducted plate to melt and generate magma.
Volcanic Arc
A string of volcanoes formed on land when an oceanic plate subducts beneath a continental plate.
Island Arc
A curved chain of volcanic islands formed when two oceanic plates converge and one subducts
beneath the other.
Lithospheric Plate
Large, rigid pieces of Earth's outer shell (crust + uppermost mantle) that move relative to one another,
driving volcanic and earthquake activity at their boundaries.
Ring of Fire
A belt of active volcanoes encircling the Pacific Ocean, containing ~75% of Earth's active volcanoes
and ~90% of its earthquakes.
Buoyant Force
The upward force exerted on a less-dense object by surrounding denser material. In geology, this force
drives magma upward through denser solid rock.
PART 3: VOLCANIC SETTINGS COMPARISON TABLE
Setting Plate Motion Landform Created Real Example Eruption Style
Oceanic Divergent Plates pull apart in Mid-ocean ridge; new Mid-Atlantic Ridge; Gentle /
(Mid-Ocean Ridge) ocean seafloor Iceland Effusive
Continental Plates pull apart on Rift valley; new crust East African Rift Moderate
Divergent (Rift land fissure
Valley) eruptions
Convergent: Oceanic subducts Volcanic Arc on land Cascade Range (USA) VIOLENT /
Oceanic + under continental Andes (S. America) Explosive
Continental
Convergent: Denser oceanic Island Arc (island Japan Aleutian Islands VIOLENT /
Oceanic + Oceanic subducts chain) Explosive
Hot Spot Plate moves over fixed Shield volcanoes; Hawaiian Islands Moderate /
plume island chain Yellowstone Effusive
★ Rows highlighted in pink = CONVERGENT boundaries with violent eruptions — common test topic!
Chapter 9 · Lesson 1 · Volcanoes & Plate Boundaries | California Science Standards 1.d · 1.e · 7.b | Grade 6 Earth Science