The Hawaiiknown for their natural beauties and active volcanoes, are experiencing a fascinating geological phenomenon (and traits disturbing): they are slowly approaching the Japan. This move is caused by the movement of the Pacific tectonic plaquethe largest on the planet, on which the Hawaii islands are located. Every year, this plaque moves in the direction north-west to one speed of about 10 centimetersbringing with him the islands to the Japanese islands chain.
The Hawaii, born from a volcanic hotspot Located inside the Pacific plate, they are formed thanks to the volcanic activity caused by the passage of the plate above this fixed point in the terrestrial cloak. As the plate moves, New islands emerge above the hotspot while the older ones move away. This geological process is one of the main causes of continuous change of earthly geography.
The movement of the plaque is not quick to a human scale, but over the course of millions of years the distance between the Hawaii and Japan will be reduced considerably. Although the phenomenon does not represent an imminent risk for anyone, it is of great scientific interest because it offers a clear demonstration of how plaque tectonics model the surface of our planet.
When will they really interact?
This theory, which explains the dynamics of the rigid plaques of the lithosphere that float on a more fluid layer below absttenosphereit is essential to understand events such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and the formation of the mountains.
Scientists carefully study this movement to better understand changes in the earth’s crust and to predict how the regions concerned they will evolve in the long term. The knowledge of the movement of the Pacific plaque also helps to better understand the geological risks linked to earthquakes and volcanic activities, especially in areas such as Hawaii, where the risk of eruptions is constant.
However, don’t expect Hawaii to touch Japan shortly: according to estimates, About 63 million years will be needed Because the two areas approach enough to interact directly. This makes the phenomenon more a geological curiosity than an imminent danger.
The slow but constant movement of Hawaii towards Japan therefore represents a perfect example of how our planet is constantly evolving. There Pacific tectonic plaque He continues to move, remodeling the Pacific landscape and revealing the complex processes that guide the dynamics of the earth.
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Source: US Geological Survey
