Hot Spots and Plumes – Report Sheet
Name: ___________________________
Date: _________________
Location
Distance (KM)
Hawaii
Date of Last Eruption
(millions of years ago)
Recent
West Maui
1.3
West Molokai
1.8
Waianae (Oahu)
3.6
Kauai
5.6
Nihoa
7.5
Necker
10.0
Midway
16.2
Kanmu
38.0
Koko
46.0
Suiko
41.0
Directions: Use the data in the chart above to answer the following questions in
complete and grammatically correct sentences.
1. The oldest island or seamount on the map is ______________________.
2. The youngest island or seamount on the map is _____________________.
3. The only current active source of molten rock in the island-seamount chain is
located at the (1) northwest end (2) near the middle (3) southeast end
___________.
4. Describe the relation of the other volcanic seamounts to the island of Hawaii
according to age and distance.
5. Where do you think the source of lava for the island-seamount chain might be?
[HINT – Read the Introduction to this lab!]
6. In what direction does the Pacific Ocean floor seem to be moving?
7. How does the data in Data Table #1 support your answer to question 6?
8. Describe the evidence that the Pacific Ocean floor has changed direction [HINT –
See the map of the Emperor Seamounts and Hawaiian Islands.]
9. How long ago did the direction of motion change? [HINT – see Data Table #1
and the map you used in question #8.]
10. In what direction was it moving before that time? [HINT – see the map you used
in question #8.]
Directions: Do not write sentences for the following questions. Instead show all
steps used to calculate the answers. Do not forget the units!!! Show all work.
11. Use the distance and age from Data Table #1 to determine the average spreading
rate of the Pacific Plate after Kanmu was formed. [HINT – Divide the distance
for Kanmu by the date of last eruption for Kanmu.]
12. Use the distance and age from Data Table #1 to determine the spreading between
Koko and Kanmu. [HINT – Subtract the Kanmu date of last eruption from the
Koko date of last eruption. Then, subtract the distance for Kanmu from the
distance for Koko. Finally, divide the distance result by the date result.]
Directions: Answer the following question in complete and grammatically correct
sentences.
13. Describe the motion of the pacific Plate in terms of spreading rates and direction
during the past 46 million years. [HINT – use your answers to questions
8,9,10,11, and 12.]