Distribution of Volcanoes in Island Arcs-A Review

Abstract

Volcanoes along island arcs and active continental margins around the Pacific area are generally considered to have been generated in relation to subduction at the island arctrench system. During the last decade, information on the distribution, size and structure, nature of activity, and petrography of these volcanoes has been considerably accumulated. On the basis of the above information together with the recent advancies in studies on structure of island arcs and origin of arc magmas, the distribution of these volcanoes in time and space is critically reviewed, especially on spatial relations, petrology, sizes, elevations of volcanoes, and sequence and frequency of volcanism.