Question

Which of these types of volcanic settings produced 70% of the Earth's surface?

a) Continental volcanic arcs along continent-ocean subduction zones
b) Continental rifts
c) Volcanic island arcs along ocean-ocean subduction zones
d) Mid-ocean ridge volcanoes

Answer 1

Mid-ocean ridge volcanoes are responsible for creating approximately 70% of the Earth's surface, as basaltic lava rises at divergent plate boundaries to form new oceanic crust.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Earth's surface has been primarily shaped by volcanic activity in different geological settings. The type of volcanic setting that has produced approximately 70% of the Earth's surface is d) Mid-ocean ridge volcanoes. These mid-ocean ridges are underwater mountain ranges where basaltic lava rises from the Earth's mantle at divergent plate boundaries, filling space between plates and forming new oceanic crust.

While other volcanic environments, such as continental volcanic arcs and volcanic island arcs, also contribute to Earth's geology, it is the process of seafloor spreading at mid-ocean ridges that has been the predominant force in generating the ocean floors. Rift zones, subduction zones, and the mid-ocean ridges are key in understanding the global distribution of volcanic activity and the creation of the Earth's topography.