noun
island arc; crescent-shaped archipelago
Geological term for a curved chain of volcanic islands formed at a convergent plate boundary. Also used more generally for any crescent-shaped group of islands.
See also: 弧状列島
日本列島は典型的な島弧である。
The Japanese archipelago is a typical island arc.
島弧の形成にはプレートの沈み込みが関係している。
The subduction of plates is involved in the formation of island arcs.