Updated By: LatestGKGS Desk
Hotspot volcanism: Hawaiian Hotspot Introduction, Location, Theory, Geographical fact
What is Hotspot volcanism? Introduction of the Hawaiian Hotspot, geographical features, and historical facts
The Hawaii hotspot is a volcanic hotspot located near the namesake Hawaiian Islands, in the northern Pacific Ocean.
While most volcanoes are created by geological activity at tectonic plates boundaries, the Hawaii hotspot is located far from plate boundaries.
The classic hotspot theory, first proposed in 1963 by John Tuzo Wilson, proposes that a single, fixed mantle plume builds volcanoes that then, cut off from their source by the movement of the Pacific Plate, become increasingly inactive and eventually erode below sea level over millions of years.
Ancient Hawaiians were the first to recognize the increasing age and weathered state of the volcanoes to the north as they progressed on fishing expeditions along the islands.
The volatile state of the Hawaiian volcanoes and their constant battle with the sea was a major element in Hawaiian mythology, embodied in Pele, the deity of volcanoes.
The hotspot has since been tomographically imaged, showing it to be 500 to 600 km (310 to 370 mi) wide and up to 2,000 km (1,200 mi) deep.
