Creation

To understand how the Virgin Islands were created it is necessary to understand the plate tectonics underneath them. The Virgin Islands are located along the northern edge of the Caribbean plate, where it meets the North American Plate. These plates are moving west at different speeds. North American Plate is moving at a faster rate creating a convergent boundary causing subduction (Joyce, 5). Evidence of this subduction is the Puerto Rican Trench that runs parallel to the Virgin Islands. As the North American Plate sunk below the Caribbean plate energy was released melting parts of the upper mantle into magma. This allowed it to form laccoliths that pushed land up and expose the Virgin Islands from the sea.

Evidence of the tectonic birth is all over the Virgin Islands. The location of the islands in relation to the Puerto Rican Trench is a great example of a subduction zone. The effects of subduction gave the islands some unique features. As magma cooled and solidified, erosion revealed plutons. On the island Virgin Gorda one of the main attractions is The Baths, which are batholiths or a collection of plutons.

Joyce, James. "Geologic and Tectonic Setting of the BVI." Department of Disaster Management British Virgin Islands. University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez, n.d. Web. 19 Sep 2012.

The Baths. 2012. Photograph. Golden Interest, Inc, Key West, Florida. Web. 19 Sep 2012.