Question

your score: 1
time:
plate interactions challenge
case 3: south america
what geological event is most likely to occur at this plate boundary in the future?
a chain of volcanic islands will form off the south american coast.
part of the south american continent will break off, forming a new sea.
new crust will be formed by magma oozing up between divergent plates.
eruptions will occur at volcanoes such as cotopaxi.
courtesy nasa goddard space flight center

Explanation:

The plate boundary along the west coast of South America is a convergent boundary (Nazca Plate subducting under the South American Plate). Volcanoes like Cotopaxi are part of the Andean volcanic belt formed by this subduction, so future eruptions at such volcanoes are likely. Option A is incorrect as volcanic islands form at ocean - ocean convergent boundaries or hotspots, not here. Option B is incorrect as the South American continent won't break off in this convergent setting. Option C is incorrect as new crust formation from magma oozing is for divergent boundaries, not this convergent one.

Answer:

D. Eruptions will occur at volcanoes such as Cotopaxi.