The Pacific Plate is the single tectonic plate of the Pacific Ocean's floor, and it moves across the layer of Earth called the asthenosphere. Each of the Hawaiian Islands are made up of at least one
primary volcano, Hawaii, the largest of the Hawaiian islands, is made of five volcanoes, including
Kilauea, shown on this map, Based on how much lava it erupts annually, Kilauea is currently one of
Earth's most productive volcanoes. The island of Hawaii, along with seven other islands, forms an
island chain attached to the Pacific Plate, and the Pacific Plate moves northwest about 5 to 10
centimeters every year.
Based on this information and the table shown, which statement best elaborates on the effects of
the Pacific Plate on the Hawaiian islands?
Due to the increasing number of volcanoes on the islands, movement of the Pacific Plate is
A)
slowing over time.
Because the islands move along with the movement of the Pacific Plate, the oldest islands
B)
are farthest northwest.
The islands are moving closer together as the Pacific Plate moves, causing some volcanoes
C)
to form single islands
Movement of the Pacific Plate across the asthenosphere causes excessive friction, pushing
D)
heat up in the form of eruptions,