Module 10.

3 review
1
a earthquake: the rapid movement of the ground, usually back and forth and up and down
in a wave motion, due to the movement of tectonic plates
b island chain: a series of volcanic islands with only one active volcano at the end of the
chain
c seismometer: an instrument that detects the seismic waves from an earthquake
d volcano: a place where extremely hot material from inside Earth erupts at the surface

2
a epicentre
b hotspot
c seismic wave
d lava

3 Gas, ash, solid rock particles and lava

4 Subduction

5 The movement of the plates and the sinking of the subducting plate generates intense
heat. This can melt rock. If the subducting plate contains lots of water, this also helps
melt the rock. The forces also create weaknesses in the crust that the magma can then
push through to reach the surface.

6 Each island forms as it sits over the hot spot. As the plate moves, the island goes with
it. A new part of the plate is now above the hot spot and this gradually forms a new
volcano. Gradually, a chain of islands forms.

7 Earthquakes are caused by the rapid release of energy as the tectonic plates move.
This sudden movement sends out waves of energy through the rock and water.

8 Check how many of the volcanoes in the chain are active. If it is only one, there is a
good chance it is a hot spot volcano.

9 The lithosphere is very thick—more resistance to being melted and fractured by earth
movements. The continent is not near plate boundaries so fewer earthquakes and
volcanoes occur.

10 The evidence is in the rocks of the crust. Huge sheets of rock dating to 3.7
to 2.7 billion years ago form a large part of Western Australia. Much of the rock from
rest of Australia is well over 1 billion years old.

11 Japan is on a collision boundary between a subducting oceanic plate and a

continental plate; these collision boundaries usually have many volcanoes because
they generate a lot of magma. Australia is well away from subducting plate boundaries
or diverging plate boundaries, so there is no volcanic activity.