Why do some volcanoes sit in mountain belts?
Quick Answer
Volcanoes often form where plates collide, especially at subduction zones that also build mountains. The same tectonic processes can both uplift crust and melt rock into magma.
The Full Story
At many convergent plate boundaries, one plate sinks beneath another. As the descending slab releases water, it lowers the melting point of mantle rocks above it, generating magma that can feed volcanoes. At the same time, compression thickens the crust and creates mountain ranges. This is why the Andes contain both towering mountains and many active volcanoes. The combination of uplift and volcanism makes these belts some of the most dynamic landscapes on Earth.
Key Facts
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