What type of geological feature is a volcanic arc?

A volcanic arc is a curved chain of volcanoes that forms as a result of subduction zones, where one tectonic plate is forced beneath another. This process occurs at convergent boundaries, typically involving an oceanic plate subducting beneath a continental plate or another oceanic plate. As the subducting plate descends into the mantle, it begins to melt due to the increase in temperature and pressure, leading to the formation of magma. This magma can then rise to the surface, resulting in the volcanic activity characteristic of a volcanic arc.

In contrast, volcanic arcs are not formed at divergent boundaries, where tectonic plates move apart, leading to seafloor spreading and the creation of new crust. Additionally, while tectonic uplift can create mountainous regions, it does not specifically lead to the formation of volcanic arcs. Rift activity occurs at divergent boundaries and involves the splitting of tectonic plates, which also distinctly differs from the subduction-related processes that produce volcanic arcs.