Geological Sciences

Volcanic Hot Spots

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Volcanic Hot Spots Volcanic hot spots were first recognized and explained by Tuzo Wilson in 1963. Hot spots occur in both continental and oceanic areas and are now thought to result from plumes of hot rock rising from deep within the mantle. Hot spot volcanism in some areas has begun with staggering volumes of flood basalt. This stage may be followed by far smaller volume eruptions occurring over extensive periods of geological time. Check the USGS Dynamic Earth for a more detailed explanation of hot spot volcanism. Galapagos Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Iceland Virtually Hawaii		The Cretaceous Kerguelen Plateau is shown on the southeastern part of this seafloor gravity map. The volume of basalt erupted here approaches or may exceed 10,000,000 cubic kilometers.

Movement of the Pacific Plate over the Hawaiian Hot Spot has produced a chain of volcanoes that stretches from Hawaii to the Aleutian Trench. The volcanoes become progressively older to the northwest with rocks at the bend in the chain being 40 to 45 million years old.		The eruption of Kilauea in 1983 has become the longest recorded eruptive event in Hawaii. The lava fountains from the 1983 to 1986 phase of the eruption built a high cinder and spatter cone called Puu Oo (hill of the Oo bird).

The 1983 eruption in the Southeast Rift Zone of Kilauea resulted in the construction of Mauna Ulu. The lava lake and levee shown here formed on the north side of Mauna Ulu.		Cal State LA has had numerous field trips to Hawaii. The students shown here are encountering the lava flows that blocked the Chain of Craters Road.

Volcanic activity in Kilauea Caldera is most frequently centered in and around the Halemaumau pit crater. A student is peering into the depths of this crater.		Pahoehoe displays beautiful ropes that glisten in the sunlight.

Iceland is a volcanic hot spot centered over the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The seafloor gravity map shows that the basalt plateau created by the eruptions is far larger than the extent of Iceland suggests.		The waterfall at Gullfoss is derived from glaciers in central Iceland. Water drops over the falls into a gorge created by rifting along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Notice the thick lava flows and columnar joints in the gorge.

The fracture pictured here occurs over the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The photo by R. Stull was taken immediately after the largest earthquake in the area since 1917.		Rifting on the north coast of Iceland has resulted in active lava flows, formation of basins for lakes such as Myvatin, and thermal pools such as the one shown here.

The 1973 eruption on the island of Heimaey threatened the fishing industry based on this island.		John McPhee's book, Control of Nature, tells the story of the struggle that the residents experienced to save their way of life.

These flat-lying lava flows in western Iceland are approximately one million years old.		Basalts on Miykines Island in the Faroes presumably formed over the Iceland Hot Spot as horizontal flows. They are now approximately 15 million years old and display a moderate dip to the east.

The Galapagos Archipelago comprises 13 large islands, 6 small islands, 42 islets and a number of small rocks and pinnacles. Charles Darwin reached these island 600 miles on September 16, 1835 and made numerous discoveries that contributed to his Theory of Evolution.		The sun is setting behind Santiago Island silhouetting numerous cinder cones. The Galapagos Islands are one of the most beautiful places on Earth for people interested in both geology and wildlife natural history.

Eruptions along the coast of numerous Galapagos shield volcanoes has resulted in magma interacting with groundwater. The result is numerous tuff cones whose asymmetrical profile is easily recognized. The wind was blowing from left to rightduring the eruption that created this cone. The resulting crater rim is higher on one side than the other.		Erosion by the sea has sliced open many of the tuff cones providing excellent views of the well-developed stratification. A magnificent frigate and a blue-footed booby are resting at this site.

Does Earth Science look interesting to you? Perhaps you would like to major in Geology or Natural Science. Maybe a General Education course in geology would appeal to you. Here are two links that you should explore. Be an Earth Scientist Geology General Education Courses Return to Photo Gallery index page.
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