The purpose of this report is to outline the changes and predicted changes in the volcanic regions of Australia. It will explore the theory of continental drift by Alfred Wagener and the more advanced and developed theory of plate tectonics and how it has affected the volcanic hotspots and also provides several predictions for the future of Australia’s volcanos. The main subject of the report will be the Glasshouse Mountain region, located in South-East Queensland directly above the Eastern Australia Hotspot, which is an active volcanic hotspot which forces magma up weak points in the Indo-Australian Plate to form volcanos, such as the volcanos outlined in this report.
The theory of continental drift, originally theorized by German researcher Alfred Wagener, formed the basis for the modern-day theory of plate tectonics. In Wagener’s original theory, his hypothesis stated clearly that the continents had once been a conjoined landmass, known as Pangaea, before splitting away from each other and drifting across to their current locations in present time, hence the term ‘continental drift’. It was supported by five reasons for his theory, including the fact that the tectonic plates connected together like a puzzle, they fitted together geologically, that fitted together tectonically, they had glacial deposits and they had fossil evidence, which was similar fossils being found on different continents. While his theory, in practice, made sense, his argument was ridiculed for lacking scientific evidence to support his claims. It wasn’t until the mid-20th century that his theory, this time supported with more key evidence, was finally proven right and accepted through further research and explanation, known instead as ‘Plate Tectonics’.
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The development of the glasshouse mountains overtime is mostly contributed to the hotspot below it. The Eastern Australia hotspot, which was the volcanic hotspot that the Glasshouse Mountains were formed as a result of, was created through a molten area in the lithosphere, which meant that the magma could seep through the weaker areas in the Earth’s crust and form volcanos. While this hotspot cannot move, the volcanos located above it can shift thanks to plate tectonics (which is the process of tectonic plates shifting due to convection currents) and cool down, becoming extinct. Approximately 26 million years ago, molten lava sourced from this hotspot cooled inside the cores of volcanos to form hard rock. The lava vents of these volcanos also solidified, creating the Glasshouse mountain range that can be seen today, which represent the remnants of these vents.
The location of volcanos in eastern Australia are mainly focused around the general direction or path of the Eastern Australia hotspot, which is impacted by the moving Australian plate above it. This tectonic plate just happens to be the fastest moving plate in the world, moving north about 7 centimetres a year, due to extremely strong convection currents pushing it. This means that as the volcanic regions move upwards with the plate, they move out of the hotspot and become no longer volcanic. As the eruption event occurred to the Glasshouse mountains approximately 26 million years ago, the mountains would be well out of the path of the hotspot, which would be located along a more southern location on the eastern coast, most likely around Northern Victoria, when taking tectonic shift overtime into consideration.
The validity of the explanation provided delivers valid information and evidence of future volcanic activity in Australia. Using the statement that the hotspot still affects Australian volcanic activity, it provides reasoning (using examples such as the hotspot being able to force magma through weak points in the Australian plate) that concludes with the declaration that as long as the hotspot still has an impact and exists in Australia, it will lead to volcanic activity in the continent.
In conclusion, the due to the fact of multiple hotspots, while moving, ae still active along the Australian coast. While the glasshouse mountains will no longer receive volcanic activity as the hotspot has moved on, new regions will experience volcanic action. This means that the continent will continue to experience volcanic activity as long as these hotspots continue and continue to thrive along Australia.
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