A Continental Arc is a type of volcanic mountain range formed at convergent plate boundaries, where an oceanic plate subducts beneath a continental plate. This process leads to the melting of the subducted plate, resulting in magma that rises to create volcanoes. These arcs are typically characterized by a series of active volcanoes and are often associated with significant geological activity. One well-known example of a continental arc is the Andes Mountains in South America, which formed as the Nazca Plate subducted beneath the South American Plate. Continental arcs can also influence local ecosystems and climate, as the volcanic activity can affect air quality and precipitation patterns in surrounding areas.