Adding us as a Preferred Source tells Google you trust our content, so our articles show up more often in your Google Search, Discover feed, and AI Overviews.
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.
Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Scotia Arc
island arc system, South Atlantic Ocean
Scotia Arc, island arc system consisting of the submarine Scotia Ridge, mountainous south Atlantic islands (clockwise from the north, the South Georgia, South Sandwich, and South Orkney islands), and the Antarctic Peninsula. This arc trends northward along the Antarctic Peninsula, then swings eastward to form a hairpin curve that returns to connect with Tierra del Fuego and the Andes of South America. The entire arc is about 2,700 miles (4,350 km) in length and is one of the few island arcs that does not border the Pacific Ocean. The arc encloses the Scotia Sea and is terminated at its eastern end by the South Sandwich Trench.
Discover the fascinating events that shaped the world, straight from our editors.
By clicking “Sign Up”, you consent to the Britannica
Privacy Policy
and
Terms of Use.