Here's a breakdown of the process:
1. Subduction and Volcanic Activity: The subduction process generates immense heat and pressure, melting parts of the subducting plate and creating magma. This magma rises to the surface, forming volcanoes along the volcanic arc, which includes Mount Agung in Bali.
2. Volcanic Eruptions and Land Formation: Over millions of years, volcanic eruptions spewed out lava, ash, and other materials, gradually building up landmasses and forming islands, including Bali and Lombok.
3. Tectonic Movement and Faulting: The continuous movement of tectonic plates caused the land masses to move and shift. This movement led to the formation of faults, fractures in the Earth's crust.
4. Sea Level Changes and Strait Formation: As sea levels fluctuated over geological time, the land bridges connecting Bali and Lombok were submerged, creating the Strait of Bali.
The Strait of Bali is a relatively young geological feature, formed around 10,000 years ago. Its unique formation is a testament to the dynamic forces shaping the Earth's surface.
In addition to the subduction zone, other factors that may have contributed to the formation of the strait include:
* Erosion: Waves and currents eroded the land bridges, widening the channel between Bali and Lombok.
* Sediment Deposition: The accumulation of sediment from rivers and volcanic eruptions may have also contributed to the formation of the strait.
The Strait of Bali continues to evolve today, as evidenced by the occasional volcanic eruptions in the region. The interaction of geological processes like subduction, volcanism, tectonic movements, and sea level changes has shaped this remarkable waterway.