Science

Hot spots.

Definition

Locations on Earth's surface where plumes of hot mantle material rise from deep within the Earth, creating volcanic activity independent of plate boundaries. As tectonic plates move over a stationary hot spot, chains of volcanoes can form.

Examples

Real-world.

  • 1 The Hawaiian Islands formed as the Pacific Plate moved over a hot spot
  • 2 Yellowstone's geysers and hot springs powered by a continental hot spot
  • 3 Iceland sitting on both the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and a hot spot
Related terms

Tangled up with.

Plate tectonics → Volcanic eruptions → Plate boundaries → Tectonic plates →
Studied in

1 unit use this concept.

Earth Science Volcanoes and Mountains →