EarthRef.org Digital Archive (ERDA) -- Hotspot Lesson: Plate Velocities

Description
This activity provides the students with a data set of ages of some of the Hawaiian Volcanoes and seamounts and how far they are from the active volcanism (considered to be the location of the hotspot). By plotting the data on a graph and fitting the data with a line of best fit, the plate velocity can be estimated by taking the slope of the line.

Instructions
The students should plot the information in the green and blue columns on the graph paper provided (Plate Velocities Activity Graph Paper). Once the students plot the points they should draw a straight line of best fit (do not connect the points). The graph following the data set is an example of what the students graph should look like. Make sure the students are calculating the slope of the line and not of two data points. Also have the students compare their graphs to the image of the Hawaiian-Emperor chain. They should notice that both their graph and the image of the chain are roughly linear. The students will likely get different plate velocities because the fit their lines will be different. The plate velocity should be approximately 8 cm/year.

Keywords
Volcano, Seamount, Plate Velocity, Hotspot, Hawaii

Copyright Owner
Enduring Resources for Earth Science Education (ERESE)

Copyright Description
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