The Hawaiian island chain, in the centre of the Pacific Ocean, is approximately 2, 700 km in length. It is formed of volcanoes and the active ones are at the south-east tip of the archipelago, where Hawaii itself is located. It is believed that the chain began to form nearly 80 million years ago. Each island started to evolve after an eruption on the sea floor.
First, a 'hot spot' existed on the ocean bed, which let out a plume of material called magma. This magma may originate as deep as 2, 883km below the ocean bed. Next, further eruptions took place, which built up the volcano. Eventually, it emerged above the surface of the ocean.
Since that time, the spume of magma has remained static as the Pacific tectonic plate moves in a north-west direction across it at a speed of 7-9cm per year. As it moves, a volcano forms as it passes over the hotspot and then become inactive when it has passed it.
The Hawaiian island chain, in the
centre
of the Pacific Ocean, is approximately 2, 700 km in length. It
is formed
of volcanoes and the active ones are at the south-east tip of the archipelago, where Hawaii itself
is located
. It
is believed
that the chain began to form
nearly
80 million years ago. Each island
started
to evolve after an eruption on the sea floor.
First
, a 'hot spot' existed on the ocean bed, which
let
out a plume of material called magma. This magma may originate as deep as 2,
883km
below the ocean bed.
Next
,
further
eruptions took place, which built up the volcano.
Eventually
, it emerged above the surface of the ocean.
Since that time, the spume of magma has remained static as the Pacific tectonic plate
moves
in a north-west direction across it at a speed of 7
-9cm
per year. As it
moves
, a volcano forms as it passes over the hotspot and then become inactive when it has passed it.