Hot Spots

Hot Spots:

A hot spot is an intensely hot area in the mantle below Earth's crust. The heat that fuels the hot spot comes from very deep in the planet. This heat causes the mantle in that region to melt. The molten magma rises up and breaks through the crust to form a volcano.

While the hot spot stays in one place, rooted to its deep source of heat, the tectonic plate is slowly moving above it. As the plate moves, so does the volcano, and another one forms in its place. The volcano that moved is no longer active. This is why a chain of extinct volcanoes is often found extending from a hot spot. (American Museum of Natural History est. 1872)

Techtonic Plates:

Interlocking slabs of crust that float on Earth's viscous upper mantle — were created by a process similar to the subduction seen today when one plate dives below another. Researchers have estimated that a global tectonic plate system emerged around 3-4 billion years ago.

Morrison, Jessica. “New Origin Seen for Earth's Tectonic Plates.” Nature News, Nature Publishing Group, 6 Apr. 2014, https://www.nature.com/articles/nature.2014.14993.

Mauna Loa is the largest active volcano on Earth. Mauna Loa is in the shield-building stage of Hawaiian volcanism, a period when the volcanoes grow most rapidly, adding as much as 95 percent of their ultimate volume. Mauna Loa's large summit caldera (Moku‘āweoweo) measures 6 by 2.5 km (2.8 by 1.6 mi), including the summit collapse pits, and is elongated in a northeast-southwest orientation. The caldera floor is about 180 m (590 ft) below the summit on the western rim. (Credit: Gaddis, Ben. Public domain.)

“Geology and History.” Geology and History | U.S. Geological Survey, https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/yellowstone/geology-and-history.

Fun Facts:

How Often? Currently, approximately 20 times each day. Before the 1959 Hebgen Lake Earthquake, Old Faithful was erupting 21 times a day. But the earthquake lengthened interval time and subsequent earthquakes have had the same impact.

How Long? Old Faithful eruptions can last anywhere from 1.5 to 5 minutes.

How Much? The amount of water expelled depends on how long the eruptions last. On average, Old Faithful will expel anywhere between 3,700 and 8,400 gallons of water. To put that in perspective, the average American household uses 400 gallons of water per day. During a five minute eruption, Old Faithful will spew forth the equivalent of 3 weeks of water usage.

How High? On average, Old Faithful eruptions reach between 130 and 140 feet, although, it has measured over 180 feet high.

How Hot? Water at the vent has been measured as high as 203 degrees Fahrenheit. The steam at the geyser’s vent has been measured significantly higher at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

“Interesting Facts about Old Faithful.” Scenic Safaris, https://www.scenic-safaris.com/2017/04/05/interesting-facts-about-old-faithful/.

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