In order for island arc to form, two diverging oceanic plates must be separating from one another.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Island arcs actually form when an oceanic plate subducts (dives) beneath another oceanic plate or a continental plate. This subduction process creates a deep trench and melts the mantle above the subducting plate, forming magma that rises to the surface and creates volcanic islands in a curved arc shape.

In Order for Island Arc to Form, Two Diverging Oceanic