Figure 25.3
-Hawaii is the most southeastern of the seven islands and is also closest to the sea-floor spreading center from which the Pacific plate originates, which lies about 5,600 km further to the southeast. Assuming equal sedimentation rates, what should be the location of the thickest sediment layer and, thus, the area with the greatest diversity of fossils above the oceanic crust?
A) between the island of Hawaii and the sea-floor spreading center
B) around the base of the island of Hawaii
C) around the base of Kauai, the oldest of the Hawaiian islands
D) where the islands are most concentrated (highest number of islands per unit surface area)

Question

Figure 25.3
-Hawaii is the most southeastern of the seven islands and is also closest to the sea-floor spreading center from which the Pacific plate originates, which lies about 5,600 km further to the southeast. Assuming equal sedimentation rates, what should be the location of the thickest sediment layer and, thus, the area with the greatest diversity of fossils above the oceanic crust?
A) between the island of Hawaii and the sea-floor spreading center 
B) around the base of the island of Hawaii 
C) around the base of Kauai, the oldest of the Hawaiian islands 
D) where the islands are most concentrated (highest number of islands per unit surface area)

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The thickest sediment layer and thus the area with the greatest diversity of fossils above the oceanic crust would be around the base of Kauai, the oldest of the Hawaiian islands. This is because over time, sediment accumulates on the ocean floor, and older areas like around Kauai would have had more time for sediment to accumulate compared to newer areas like Hawaii.

Figure 25.3 -Hawaii Is the Most Southeastern of the Seven Islands and Islands