Q. With reference to the Tokara Islands, consider the following statements:
1.It constitute a chain of volcanic islands forming part of the Nansei Island arc of South Korea.
2.Located between the larger island of Kyushu to the north and the Amami Islands to the south.
3.Experiences frequent earthquake swarms driven by the active subduction of the Philippine Sea Plate beneath the Eurasian Plate.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
Answer: B
Notes:
Detailed Explanation:
- Statement 1 is incorrect: The Tokara Islands are a sub-archipelago of twelve small islands (seven inhabited) belonging to Kagoshima Prefecture in southern Japan, situated along an active volcanic arc.
- Statement 2 is correct: Geographically, the chain lies in the East China Sea / Pacific border zone, positioned directly between the mainland southern island of Kyushu and the Amami Islands.
- Statement 3 is correct: The area lies on a major subduction zone where the Philippine Sea Plate plunges beneath the Eurasian (Okinawa) Plate, frequently triggering seismic swarms involving thousands of micro-to-moderate earthquakes.
