How do hot spots and plate tectonics account for the islands of the Hawaiian Island chain varying in age?
A) The volcanic hot spot in the middle of the Pacific Ocean was originally in the Atlantic Ocean and is therefore quite old.
B) Hot spots and plate tectonics cannot account for the age variability.
C) The volcanic hot spot in the middle of the Pacific Ocean is due to the divergence of the East Pacific Rise.
D) As molten material continually seeped from the hot spot, an island(s) would form. As the Pacific Plate continued to move the island locked to the Pacific Plate would move as well. A new island would then form above the hot spot.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Hawaiian Islands are formed as the Pacific Plate moves over a stationary hot spot. As the plate moves, new islands form over the hot spot, resulting in a chain of islands of varying ages.

How Do Hot Spots and Plate Tectonics Account for the Islands