Sierra Hernandez

Geography

2 June, 07:03

Kilauea, above, is one of five volcanoes on the Big Island of Hawaii. They get their fuel because the island sits over a hot spot. Hot spots occurs at abnormally hot centers known as mantle plumes. Scientific models depict these plumes of molten rock almost like a lava lamp, with a rising bulbous head fed by a long, narrow tail that originates in the mantle. This type of volcanism, hot spot volcanism, is unique. Why?

Because the resulting volcanoes always produce islands.

B) Because it occurs where two tectonic plates converge and this is usually the site of mountain-building.

C) Because it does not occur at the boundaries of Earth's tectonic plates, where all other volcanism occurs.

D) Because the volcanoes that occur at hot spots rarely result in mountain building; they are a destructive process.