Intraplate boundaries - Hot Spots

Question 1

How do hotspots form?

Answer 1

1. Concentrated spots of radioactive decay in the earth’s core heat the lower mantle.
2. This causes magma plumes which rise vertically through the crust.
3. The hotspots themselves are stationary but they increase the intensity of volcanoes.

Question 2

What landforms occur due to hotspots?

Answer 2

chain of sheild volcanoes

Question 3

What hazards occur due to hotspots?

Answer 3

• low magnitude earthquakes
• effusive volcanoes (frequent, low risk)

Question 4

Give an example of a hotspot.

Answer 4

Hawaii active plume zone at Mauna Loa.