Figure 12.26

Island formation at a hot spot. (A) As the overlying plate moves over a stationary hot spot, it creates a chain of volcanoes. Old volcanoes that have moved off the hot spot become extinct and are eroded and diminished in size. Eventually, the inactive volcanoes are moved into deeper water, where they become flat-topped seamounts. (B) The Hawaiian Islands were formed by a stationary hot spot. As the Pacific plate moves over the hot spot, new islands are formed and old islands are moved into deeper water. The maximum ages of the islands are given in millions of years (Ma). A new island, named Lo‘ihi, is forming and will rise above the sea in about 10,000 years.