This figure shows a northwest-southeast line of islands and seamounts near Hawaii.If location 3 has the oldest rocks and Hawaii (1)has the youngest rocks,which way is the plate moving with respect to the hot spot?
A)Northwest
B)Southeast
C)Northwest and southeast
D)It is not moving in a consistent direction.

Question

This figure shows a northwest-southeast line of islands and seamounts near Hawaii.If location 3 has the oldest rocks and Hawaii (1)has the youngest rocks,which way is the plate moving with respect to the hot spot? 
A)Northwest 
B)Southeast 
C)Northwest and southeast 
D)It is not moving in a consistent direction.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The line of islands and seamounts is believed to be the track of the Pacific Plate moving over a stationary hot spot. As the figure shows, the islands and seamounts are arranged in a northwest-southeast direction. If location 3 has the oldest rocks and Hawaii (1) has the youngest rocks, it suggests that the plate is moving in a northwest direction, away from the hot spot. The older rocks are located further away from the hot spot and the younger rocks closer to it. Therefore, the correct choice is A) Northwest.

This Figure Shows a Northwest-Southeast Line of Islands and Seamounts