http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/education Inspiring ocean literacy and conservation through
National Marine Sanctuaries
Oceans for Life Lesson Plan
Hawaiian Hot Spots
O VERVIEW
interaction of hot spot volcanism and plate tectonics and will build upon basic knowledge of
plate tectonics gathered in the previous lesson. Students will explore the ways in which the unique
hot spot environment has contributed to the richness of the environment at Northwestern
Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument and Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National
Marine Sanctuary.
First, students wi l be introduced to Hawaiian volcanic activity while watching the Hawaiian Hots
Spots video . Then, they will learn how plate tectonics plays a role in volcanic activity. Students will
then examine maps and photographs of the Hawaiian Islands, and through a class discussion will
share their ideas about the origin of the Hawaiian Islands (they were formed as a result of hot spot
volcanism on the seafloor—literally built up from the bottom by repeated lava flows). They will
then visit several sites to learn about hot spots and how they relate to the formation of the
Hawaiian Islands. Finally, they will research the two marine protected areas in Hawai`i to learn
about their physical and biological environments and consider the relationship between the
physical environment (volcanoes) and the biological richness of the area.
This lesson is one in a series exploring the history, biology, and ecology of the National Marine
F OCUS
Interaction of hot spot volcanism and plate
tectonics
Islands Humpback Whale National Marine
Sanctuary to determine how their physical
environments affect the biologic richness of
the Hawaiian Islands;
• describe the relationship between
volcanoes and the biodiversity of the
surrounding area; and
• determine whether plate tectonics plays a
role in other regions' biodiversity.
F OCUS Q UESTIONS
• How does plate tectonics play a role in
volcanic activity?
• How has hot spot volcanism contributed to
the richness of two marine protected areas
in Hawai`i?
L EARNING O BJECTIVES
Students will:
• define "hot spot" as it relates to plate
tectonics;
• describe the origin of the Hawaiian Islands;
• research the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
Marine National Monument and Hawaiian
M ATERIALS
Computer with internet access (Note: all
information can be pre-downloaded and
printed)
Blank index cards
Hawaiian Hot Spots • Page 1
http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/education Inspiring ocean literacy and conservation through
National Marine Sanctuaries
A UDIO V ISUAL M ATERIALS
T EACHING T IME
Two to three hours
S EATING A RRANGEMENT
Whole-class instruction and small group
activities
As students work, have them answer the
fo l owing questions:
• How many volcanoes are currently active in
the world today? (About 1900)
• What is the "Ring of Fire?" (A region in the
Pacific Ocean that is particularly active with
volcanoes)
• How do volcanoes form? (They can form
from one plate sliding under another and
releasing magma at the rift; they can also
form when magma shoots to the surface
through a "hot spot" in the surface of a
plate.)
• What are the five types of volcanoes?
(Cinder cone, caldera, composite, shield,
submarine, lava dome)
• What effect do plates have on volcanoes?
(Most volcanoes are caused by shifting of
plates and, therefore, are found where
plates meet.)
• How are the Hawaiian volcanoes different
than those in the "Ring of Fire?" (Hawaiian
volcanoes are caused by "hot spots" rather
than shifts in the Earth's plates.)
• How do the volcanoes in Hawai`i contribute
to the island's land and biodiversity? (They
provide valuable mineral deposits, fertile
soils, and geothermal energy. Lava flows
can build new land as they have in Hawai`i.)
M AXIMUM N UMBER OF S TUDENTS
No limit
K EY W ORDS
Plate tectonics, Hawai`i, Volcano,
Biodiversity, Hot Spot
P REPARATION
• Download and prepare video clips
L EARNING P ROCEDURE
Opening:
As students watch, have them look for
information explaining the difference between
volcanoes caused by shifts in the Earth's plates
and those caused by "hot spots." Have them
also look and listen for information about how
the Hawaiian Islands have been affected by
the very way in which they were created
(biodiversity).
After they have watched the video, ask the
students to define "hot spot" (an exceptionally
hot area where a plume of magma comes to
the surface forming a volcano).
Development:
Explain to the students that in order to fully
understand hot spots and their effect on the
environment, they need to further understand
how volcanoes are formed.
Have students work in pairs to draw diagrams
of how plate tectonics contribute to the
development of a volcano. The diagrams may
contain some of the following labels:
• Core
• Mantle
• Vent
• Lava flow
• Ash
Have students work in pairs to review how
volcanoes develop by exploring:
Hawaiian Hot Spots • Page 2
