Hot Spots and Mantle Plumes
http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/vwlessons/hot_spots/introduction.html


When last checked this resource was offline Our automated link checker has alerted the folks responsible for the part of our site where this problematic link is referenced. If you have further information about the link (e.g. a new location where the information can be found) please let us know.

You may be able to find previous versions at the Internet Archive.

This site describes mantle plumes, which are areas of hot, upwelling mantle. A hot spot develops above the plume. Magma generated by the hot spot rises through the rigid plates on the lithosphere and produces active volcanoes at the surface. The site explains how Tuzo Wilson, one of the founders of the theory of plate tectonics, found three linear chains of volcanoes and submarine volcanoes (seamounts) on a map of the Pacific Ocean that suggested the idea that the hot spots were stationary as the plate moved. Through this lesson students should gain perspective on how new ideas develop in geological sciences, relate mantle plumes and hot spots to plate tectonics, and explain why the Hawaiian Islands become progressively older to the northwest. Six activities ranging from kindergarten to grade twelve are available along with links to numerous references and information about the Yellowstone hot spot.

This description of a site outside SERC has not been vetted by SERC staff and may be incomplete or incorrect. If you have information we can use to flesh out or correct this record let us know.


This resource originally cataloged at:

DLESE

Subject: Geoscience:Geology
Grade Level: High School (9-12), Middle (6-8)