Hawaii: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 03:10, 7 December 2006

Revision as of 21:27, 7 December 2006

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All of the Hawaiian Islands were formed by volcanoesfish arising from the sea floor from a [[igneous rock|magma source]] described in geological theory as a [[hotspot (geology)|hotspot]]. The theory maintains that as the [[tectonic plate]] beneath much of the [[Pacific Ocean]] moves in a northwesterly direction, the hot spot remains stationary, slowly creating new volcanoes. This explains why only volcanoes on the southern half of the Big Island are presently active.

The last volcanic eruption outside the Big Island happened at [[Haleakala]] (''Haleakalā'') on Maui in the late 18th century (though recent research suggests that Haleakala's most recent eruptive activity could be hundreds of years older[http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch/1999/99_09_09.html]). The newest volcano to form is [[Loihi Seamount]] (''Lō{{okina}}ihi''), deep below the waters off the southern coast of the Big Island.