What are the tectonic plates in Hawaii?

Hawaii is geologically a unique place on Earth because it is caused by a 'hot spot.' Most islands are found at tectonic plate boundaries either from spreading centers (like Iceland) or from subduction zones (like the Aleutian Islands). read more

Tectonic Plates and Active Volcanoes of the World: Most active volcanoes are located along or near the boundaries of Earth's shifting tectonic plates. Hawaiian volcanoes, however, occur in the middle of the Pacific Plate and are formed by volcanism over the Hawaiian"Hot Spot" (see text). read more

Hawaii has active volcanism today. The big island of Hawaii is the largest of the current Hawaiian Islands and is made of five volcanoes (Kohala, Mauna Kea, Hualalai, Mauna Loa and Kilauea). Kohala last erupted 60,000 years ago and Mauna Kea last erupted 3,500 years ago. These two volcanoes are considered dormant. Hualalai's last eruption was in 1801. read more

The theory of plate tectonics describes the movement of plates across Earth's surface. A dozen major plates and several smaller ones make up our planet's crust, which includes both the surface of the continents and the sea floor. read more