The "big bend" in the Hawaii-Emperor seamount chain occurred at about 45 million years ago.What is the most likely explanation for this change in the orientation of the hot spot track across the Pacific plate?
A)From Cretaceous through 45 million years (Eocene), the Pacific seafloor used to move northwards as it subducted down a trench near the present Aleutians.Since then the Kurile-Kamchatka trench began subducting and the Pacific plate began moving NW instead.
B)The hot spot abruptly changed its direction.It used to move straight south, and since 45 million years ago it has been moving SE through the upper mantle.
C)They are two unrelated hot spot tracks that intersect.Originally there was an Emperor hot spot, then it died while the Hawaiian hot spot started up and moved in a new direction.
D)The Devil put this line of volcanoes here to confuse us and subvert us from the true path.Everyone knows Earth isn't really that old.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The change in the orientation of the hot spot track can be explained by the shift in subduction from the Aleutian trench to the Kurile-Kamchatka trench, which caused the Pacific plate to change direction from moving northwards to moving northwest. This change in plate motion caused the hot spot track to shift and bend towards the southeast. Choice B is incorrect because hot spots are typically stationary and do not abruptly change direction. Choice C is also incorrect because there is no evidence to support the existence of two unrelated hot spot tracks intersecting at the big bend. Choice D is a nonsensical and unscientific explanation.

The "Big Bend" in the Hawaii-Emperor Seamount Chain Occurred at About