Do you remember that there are three ways that volcanoes can form? They form at subduction zones, mid-ocean ridges and at something called a hot spot. In this lesson you will learn about what causes hot spots to produce volcanoes.

What do you notice about the lines of island groups in the Pacific Ocean?

A geologist in the 1960's, by the name of Tuzo Wilson, noticed that there were straight lines of submarine volcanoes and volcanic islands in the Pacific.

These linear chains of volcanoes ran in parallel lines to each other. (See white lines on the map)

The active volcanoes in these chains are all located in the southeast corner and are the last island in that group.

The oldest islands were the northern most islands in the group. Coincidence???

Click on the "Next" button to read what Tuzo Wilson decided!