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At which of the following tectonic settings would you expect to find volcanoes producing the highest volumes of pyroclastic material?

1) Divergent plate boundaries
2) Convergent plate boundaries
3) Transform plate boundaries
4) Hotspots

1 Answer

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Final answer:

Volcanoes at convergent plate boundaries produce the highest volumes of pyroclastic material due to subduction and the associated flux melting, which leads to explosive volcanic activity and the creation of large amounts of volcanic debris.

Step-by-step explanation:

You would expect to find volcanoes producing the highest volumes of pyroclastic material at convergent plate boundaries. This is because at these kinds of tectonic settings, one tectonic plate subducts under another, which generates significant amounts of magma due to the melting of the subducted plate's material. As this magma rises and erupts, it often produces large amounts of explosive volcanic activity, resulting in high volumes of pyroclastic flow consisting of ash, pumice, and other volcanic debris.

Divergent plate boundaries, such as mid-ocean ridges, can produce lava flows but are less likely to generate explosive eruptions creating vast quantities of pyroclastic material. On the other hand, transform plate boundaries are known for seismic activity but do not typically produce volcanoes. Hotspots can create significant volcanic structures and eruptions, like those found on the Hawaiian islands, but are not tied to the interaction of tectonic plates.

Convergent boundaries are typically associated with the most abundant volcanic activity, including the significant accumulation of pyroclastic material, due to the processes of subduction and associated flux melting of mantle and crustal materials.

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