Geography
How Volcanic Island Arcs Generate Unique Biogeographic Isolation and Endemism
Quick fact
The Japanese archipelago, a volcanic island arc, is home to more than 4,000 endemic plant species—about a third of its flora—despite having been repeatedly devastated by volcanic eruptions.
Why this is interesting
You've probably seen pictures of tropical islands, but did you know that many of them are volcanoes? Why do so many of the plants and animals on these islands exist nowhere else on Earth?