3. Relative to the Hawaiian hotspot, where in the chain is the oldest volcano? Where is the
youngest?
4. What do you think the future for Loihi seamount will be?

Respuesta :

Answer:

The oldest volcano is northwest of the hot spot, while the youngest volcano is near the hot spot, on the southeastern part of the island chain. Loihi will most probably become the newest volcanic island of the Hawaii Islands.

Explanation:

The Hawaii Islands are created by hot spot volcanism. This is a type of volcanism that can occur anywhere, not just around the plate boundaries, as it is volcanism that occurs because of higher than usual activity in the mantle's convection currents that manage to break up the crust with ease.

Because this island chain and the hot spot below it are located in the interior of a plate, because of the movement of the plate, volcanoes form and die out, while new ones constantly form. This is due to the fact that the plate, as it moves, drag the volcano away from the hot spot so eventually cuts their connection, so the hot spot creates another one above it. Because of the direction of movement of the Pacific plate, we can comfortably say that the oldest volcano is located northwest of the hot spot, while the youngest is very close to it, in the southeastern part of the island chain.

When it comes to Loihi, it is a seamount on the rise. The hot spot is responsible for its formation and rise, and little by little, as the newest volcano on the island of Hawaii, gets its connection cut off with the hot spot, Loihi will rise above the surface and create another volcanic island.