EarthRef.org Digital Archive (ERDA) -- Characteristics of the Hawaiian-Emperor Chain

Description
This text summarizes many important features of the Hawaiian-Emperor chain. The volcanoes and seamounts of the Hawaiian-Emperor chain can be characterized as erupting during the Cenozoic time period and are aligned in short sigmoidal series as a result of extensional fractures. The chain gets progressively older as you move northwest, but simultaneous eruptions were common. If the hotspot is assumed to be fixed, the bend in the chain is thought to be the result of a change in motion of the Pacific plate as the result of a compression on the western boundary of the plate. However, some data suggests that the hotspot is not fixed but not enough data exists to make any determinations about effects to plate boundaries. Thus more data needs to be collected in order to better understand the formation processes responsible for the Hawaiian-Emperor chain. For additional information see Tarduno et al. 2003 and Duncan & Keller 2004.

Keywords
Hawaiian-Emperor chain, age, Cenozoic, East Pacific, Emperor Seamounts, evolution, Hawaiian Ridge, North Pacific, Northeast Pacific, Northwest Pacific, Pacific Ocean, plate tectonics, tectonophysics, volcanism volcanology, West Pacific, ERESE

Copyright Owner
Enduring Resources for Earth Science Education (ERESE)

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