The hotspot-melting-through-lithosphere process forms lines of extinct volcanoes on the ocean floor,from youngest to oldest,______________________.
A)with random ages along the lines
B)in a direction pointing toward the sun
C)pointing at 90 degrees to the direction of plate movement
D)pointing in the opposite direction of plate movement
E)pointing in the direction of plate movement

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The lines of extinct volcanoes formed by the hotspot-melting-through-lithosphere process on the ocean floor are arranged from youngest to oldest in a manner that points in the direction of the plate movement. This occurs because as the tectonic plate moves over a stationary hotspot, new volcanoes are formed and older ones are carried away with the plate, creating a trail of volcanoes that marks the direction of the plate's movement.

The Hotspot-Melting-Through-Lithosphere Process Forms Lines of Extinct Volcanoes on the Ocean