| The Galapagos Hot Spot and its source of | | | | Galápagos Hot Spot is currently located |
| volcanic activity Volcanic islands that | | | | beneath the northwestern region of the |
| originated with the activity of a hot spot, | | | | Galápagos Archipelago near Fernandina and |
| are amazing locations on Earth because of | | | | Isabela. |
| their continuous change. The islands follow a | | | | |
| chain pattern where the older islands are | | | | The width of the hot spot is estimated to be |
| found in the East, while the younger islands | | | | approximately 150 kilometers (100 miles). |
| are found in the West. | | | | Since the Galapagos Islands are moving with |
| | | | the Nazca plate and the hot spot remains |
| This very simple geological feature is | | | | stationary, the islands form and slowly drift |
| responsible for the unique development of | | | | away from the hot spot, at about 5cm per |
| flora and fauna, rates of erosion, frequency | | | | year, allowing more volcanoes and islands to |
| of volcanic eruptions, and of course, the | | | | be formed. Since the Galapagos Islands move |
| always unpredictable rates of colonization. | | | | with the Nazca plate in an east-southeast |
| Geologists explain this with lots of | | | | direction the older islands are found in the |
| interesting facts. The theory states that | | | | southeast. The newly forming islands are |
| there is a Mantle Plume that is relatively | | | | located in the northwest. Since all of the |
| stationary. This mantle plume is of intense | | | | volcanoes are formed underwater, the material |
| heat and deforms the land above it. The | | | | forming them builds and accumulates as it |
| crustal plate rides over the hot spot and is | | | | spreads out like a sand hill. This process |
| occasionally perforated by the molten rock | | | | creates the islands in the form of a volcano |
| that is rising from the Earth's mantle. The | | | | with gentle sloping sides and a central vent. |
| crust above, is forced upward because of the | | | | |
| heat, and volcanoes are formed. | | | | This type of volcano is known as a shield |
| | | | volcano. The greatness of the Galapagos |
| The previously formed islands then move | | | | Islands wildlife, is certainly enhanced by |
| slowly away from the hot spot, making room | | | | the beauty of its many geological features. |
| for new islands to be formed by further | | | | The Hot Spot theory is one way of explaining, |
| volcanic activity. The older volcanoes | | | | not only why change rules in oceanic islands, |
| eventually become inactive and slowly erode | | | | but also how wildlife has adapted to the |
| into the ocean depths. Hot Spots are | | | | different islands that make up this |
| responsible for the formation of Hawaii, the | | | | ever-changing land. |
| Galápagos, and other island chains. The | | | | |