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The Hawaiian Islands formed over a stationary hot spot. This means that hot molten magma from deep within the mantle erupted onto the surface of the ocean floor, forming an underwater volcano, or seamount. As the volcano continued to grow, it eventually emerged above sea level, forming an island arc.

- The first island to form over the hot spot was Kauai Island. The island sits at the northernmost section along the chain, is now an extinct volcano, and contains the oldest rocks of the Hawaiian Islands.
- Maui is also an extinct volcano. It has much younger rocks than Kauai but older than the Big Island.
- Hawai'i is the southernmost island, has active volcanoes, and contains the youngest rocks of all the islands.

By understanding that the Hawaiian Islands formed over a stationary hot spot, with the youngest rocks found on the actively-erupting Hawai'i island, and that rocks become progressively older as you move northwest, what theory does this help support?

Answer :

Final answer:

The age sequence of the Hawaiian Islands supports the theory of plate tectonics, as the Pacific Plate has moved over a stationary hotspot to form a chain of islands, with the youngest rocks on the still-active Hawai'i island.

Explanation:

The progressive age of the rocks on the Hawaiian Islands from the oldest on Kauai to the youngest on the actively-erupting Hawai'i island is a key piece of evidence that supports the theory of plate tectonics. The islands were formed by a stationary hotspot over which the Pacific Plate has moved, creating a chain of volcanic islands. This process demonstrates how tectonic plates shift over time, with new land being formed as they move over mantle hotspots, which remain relatively fixed.

Mount Kilauea, Mauna Loa, and Maunakea are famous Hawaiian volcanoes that have formed over the hotspot. The Hawaiian chain, which is one of the most remote in the Pacific, consists of approximately 137 islands and atolls and extends about 1,500 miles.

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