1.19 - Hotspots Flashcards
What type of tectonic activity is Yellowstone associated with?
Intraplate tectonics.
How long has the North American plate been moving over the Yellowstone hotspot?
17 million years.
What is the Yellowstone Caldera?
A supervolcano formed 640,000 years ago.
What are two major geological features of Yellowstone?
Huge river valleys and geothermal activity.
What does the term ‘intraplate tectonics’ refer to?
Tectonic activity occurring away from plate boundaries, within a tectonic plate.
Why is Yellowstone considered an example of intraplate tectonics?
It is located within the North American plate, not at a plate boundary.
What geological features are influenced by the Yellowstone hotspot?
Geothermal features such as geysers and hot springs.
How did the Yellowstone Caldera form?
Through a massive volcanic eruption 640,000 years ago.
What is the primary geological hazard of the Yellowstone supervolcano?
A potential catastrophic eruption with global impact.
What type of volcanic activity is found in Yellowstone?
Geothermal activity such as geysers, fumaroles, and hot springs.
What does the term ‘caldera’ mean?
A large volcanic crater formed by a major eruption and collapse of the volcano.
What are the Hawaiian Islands classified as?
An archipelago of 8 major islands.
At what rate are the Hawaiian Islands moving?
32 miles per million years.
Which direction are the Hawaiian Islands moving?
Southeast.
What geological feature is responsible for the formation of the Hawaiian Islands?
A volcanic hotspot beneath the Pacific Plate.
What are the Canary Islands known for?
Steep ocean cliffs and landslides.
What is the most active volcano in the Canary Islands?
El Hierro.
What geological process might create a new island near the Canary Islands?
Fissure activity south of El Hierro.
What makes the Canary Islands vulnerable to landslides?
Their steep ocean cliffs.
How does hotspot volcanism contribute to island formation?
Magma rises from a stationary hotspot while the tectonic plate moves.
What are the major islands of the Canary Islands archipelago?
Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and Lanzarote.
What is an atoll, and where are they found?
A ring-shaped coral reef found in the Hawaiian archipelago.
What distinguishes intraplate tectonics from boundary tectonics?
Intraplate tectonics occur within a tectonic plate, not at its edges.
Why is Yellowstone considered a supervolcano?
Due to its massive explosive potential and past eruptions.
How does geothermal activity manifest in Yellowstone?
Through features such as geysers, mud pots, and hot springs.
