Volcanic Island Chain in Hawaii

Sample Answer

The presented diagram details an island chain in Hawaii located in the Pacific Ocean. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that volcanic formation begins deep under the Earth’s mantle and is visibly the result of multiple eruptions over the years.

Considering first of all the deepest layer buried in solid dense rock (2883 km down), there are vast repositories of magma in a central ‘hot spot’ where spume remains static. The magma spume then rises in a narrow channel and the shifting (7-9cm a year) Pacific tectonic plate to reach the surface and create the least mature volcanoes through multiple eruptions.

The diagram also contains information about Hawaii more specifically including that the oldest volcano was formed 80,000,000 years ago and the major islands include Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Hahoolawa, Maui, and, the largest, Hawaii.