Hawaii

Gr 8 Up—The ages of the many beautiful islands of Hawaii vary, having been created by undersea volcanic eruptions over millions of years. Only recently have scientists begun to study the origins of these eruptions. Conflicting theories presume that either a huge undersea plume of volcanic material known as a hotspot or a flat flow of magma under the Earth's crust resulted in a flow of material that made up the islands. Tectonic movement has caused the islands to be dispersed over a large area, ranging from the Aleutian Islands to present-day Hawaii. A team of scientists sought to find the cause of these eruptions by drilling into the Earth's crust. The process and results are explained through interviews with the scientists involved in the project and on-site photographs of volcanoes both active and inert. Although the plume theory seems validated, some questions remain unanswered. Why have islands been formed through the volcanic and tectonic activity rather than a long ridge? Are there new islands in the making? A somewhat flat narration and uninteresting music detract from an otherwise engaging examination of the origins of the Hawaiian Islands. Useful for Earth science classes.—Eva Elisabeth VonAncken, formerly Trinity-Pawling School, NY