Question
Zoom out and examine the dozens of sunken volcanoes out past Nihoa, named the Emperor Seamounts. As one of these volcanic islands on the Pacific Plate moves off the hotspot it becomes inactive, or extinct, and the island begins to sink as it and the surrounding tectonic plate cool down. The speed the islands are sinking can be estimated by measuring the difference in elevation between two islands and dividing by the difference in their ages (this method assumes the islands were a similar size when they were active). Calculate how fast the Hawaiian Islands are sinking, by using the ages and elevations of Maui and Nihoa.
Step 1
First, we need to find the difference in elevation between Maui and Nihoa. - The elevation of Maui is approximately 10,023 feet (3,055 meters). - The elevation of Nihoa is approximately 900 feet (274 meters). - Difference in elevation = 10,023 - 900 = Show more…
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