activity 6.2: hotspot formation\nwhat will we do?\nwe will simulate the formation of a hotspot volcano.\nin…

activity 6.2: hotspot formation\nwhat will we do?\nwe will simulate the formation of a hotspot volcano.\nin previous lessons, you learned that volcanoes form at plate boundaries, but the chain of hawaiian volcanoes are in the middle of the pacific plate. how do you think the hotspot your teacher described might have been involved in their formation?

activity 6.2: hotspot formation\nwhat will we do?\nwe will simulate the formation of a hotspot volcano.\nin previous lessons, you learned that volcanoes form at plate boundaries, but the chain of hawaiian volcanoes are in the middle of the pacific plate. how do you think the hotspot your teacher described might have been involved in their formation?

Answer

Brief Explanations:

Hotspots are stationary plumes of magma rising from the mantle. As the tectonic plate moves over the hotspot, a chain of volcanoes is formed. In the case of the Hawaiian - island chain, the Pacific Plate has been moving over a hotspot, creating new volcanoes as the plate shifts. Each new volcano forms over the stationary hotspot while the older ones move away with the plate motion.

Answer:

The Hawaiian volcanoes formed as the Pacific Plate moved over a stationary mantle hotspot. Magma from the hotspot erupted through the plate, creating a chain of volcanoes with the youngest ones over the current position of the hotspot and the older ones further away in the direction of plate movement.