Name: Origin of the Universe: An Enigma
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 2 min 29 s
Description: Are you not bewildered by the enormity of the Universe? The Big Bang Theory will tell us about its formation from just a point to such a vast, overwhelming e...

Question

What volcanic hotspots are. Where are hotspots found? What happens at hotspots to give them this name?

Accepted Answer

A hot spot is an area on Earth over a mantle plume or an area under the rocky outer layer of Earth, called the crust, where magma is hotter than surrounding magma. The magma plume causes melting and thinning of the rocky crust and widespread volcanic activity.

Hot spots are found in the ocean, and on continents. Often the hot spot creates a chain of volcanoes, as a plate moves across a relatively stationary mantle plume. The best example of a hot spot volcanic chain is the Hawaiian Islands. Major hot spots include the Iceland hot spot, under the island of Iceland in the North Atlantic; the Réunion hot spot, under the island of Réunion in the Indian Ocean; and the Afar hot spot, located under northeastern Ethiopia. Volcanic activity at hot spots can create submarine mountains known as seamounts.

Hot spots are called hot spots because a hot spot is an area on Earth over a mantle plume or an area under the rocky outer layer of Earth, called the crust, where magma is hotter than surrounding magma. A hot spot is an intensely hot area in the mantle below Earth's crust. The heat that fuels the hot spot comes from very deep in the planet. This heat causes the mantle in that region to melt. The molten magma rises up and breaks through the crust to form a volcano.

What volcanic hotspots are. Where are hotspots found? What happens at hotspots to give them this name?

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