In a hot-spot volcanic island chain,such as the Hawaiian Islands,which of the following is true?
A) All volcanoes in the chain can be simultaneously active.
B) The ages and distance between volcanoes can be used to calculate plate velocities.
C) The presence of volcanism is related to a plate boundary.
D) The magma source moves to form a hot-spot track.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Hot-spot volcanic island chains, like the Hawaiian Islands, form as a tectonic plate moves over a stationary hot spot in the Earth's mantle. The ages of the volcanoes increase and the distance between them can be used to calculate the velocity at which the tectonic plate is moving over the hot spot. This process does not involve the magma source moving; instead, the tectonic plate moves over the stationary magma source.

In a Hot-Spot Volcanic Island Chain,such as the Hawaiian Islands,which