Answer:
B) The steeper the angle, the closer the arc would form to the trench.
Step-by-step explanation:
The angle of subduction, which refers to the angle at which one tectonic plate is descending beneath another, can influence the location of a volcanic arc. When a denser oceanic plate subducts beneath a less dense continental plate, a volcanic arc can form parallel to the boundary where the plates converge.
In the case of steeper subduction angles, the descending plate plunges more steeply into the mantle beneath the overriding plate. This deeper subduction results in greater compression and melting of the mantle, leading to the formation of a volcanic arc closer to the trench, which is the area where the subduction occurs. The steeper angle allows for a more direct transfer of heat and melting in the mantle, promoting volcanic activity.
On the other hand, with shallower subduction angles, the subducting plate is not as steeply inclined beneath the overriding plate. This can result in the formation of a volcanic arc located farther away from the trench. The shallower angle may lead to a more oblique convergence of the plates, reducing the direct transfer of heat and melting, and thus influencing the location of the volcanic activity.
Therefore, the angle of subduction plays a role in determining the proximity of the volcanic arc to the trench, with steeper angles favoring closer volcanic arc formation.