How is this chain of volcanic islands forming? Tectonic plates are sliding past each other, generating magma, which creates a volcano. Two tectonic plates are pulling apart, creating magma through decompression melting. A tectonic plate is moving over a mantle plume, which burns through the plate to create a chain of volcanoes. A tectonic plate is being subducted and partially melted, producing magma that rises to create a volcanic chain.