Regents Earth Science
Hawaiian Hot Spot Activity
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Over the past 70 million years, the processes of volcano eruption and continued
movement of the Pacific Plate over the stationary Hawaiian hot spot have left a trail of
volcanoes across the Pacific Ocean floor. The chain of Hawaiian Islands extends about
6,000 km from the “Big Island” of Hawaii. The Hawaiian Islands are actually a very small
portion of the complete chain of volcanoes, most of which are submarine. In fact, the
entire chain is composed of over 80 volcanoes.
Part 1: Review the map below taking notes of the direction of plate movement
and the age of the volcanoes. Use the following two maps to answer
questions 1-5 on this activity.
1. The Big Island of Hawaii is the youngest in the chain. What observations could
be made by an observer that would confirm the young age of this island.
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2. What pattern do you see between age of rocks and location from the hot spot?
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3. Explain how you think the chain of islands might have formed?
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4. How can you use the map information (from the previous page) to calculate the
rate (speed) of plate motion over the hot spot? Describe the information you
need and how you'll use it.
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5. Using the maps above, calculate the average rate of the Pacific Plate's motion
over the past 5.1 million years. Express your answer in cm/year.
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Part 2: Use the following maps to help you answer questions to 6-8 of this
activity.
6. Calculate the average rate of plate motion for 0 - 40 million years ago (since the
formation of the Daikakuji Seamount).
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Calculate the average rate of plate motion for 40 - 60 million years ago (between
formation of the Suiko and Daikakuji Seamounts).
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7. What does the bend in the chain of seamounts indicate?
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Part 3: Use the following map to help you answer questions 8-10 on this lab.
8. Think back to our Igneous Rock Unit. What evidence is there of a hot spot
currently under Yellowstone National Park?
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9. Calculate the average rate of the North American Plate's motion over
Yellowstone.
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