The terms ‘hot spots’ refers to such localities on the earth’s surface where greater than average thermal activity takes place, often leading to volcanic eruption.

Hot spots are thought to be the crystal expression of plumes in the underlying mantle and are believed to be closely associated with the mechanism of plate tectonics.

It is considered necessary to explain the term ‘plume’. The term plume describes the mechanism in which rock in the earth’s mantle begins to melt.

Thus becoming less dense and rising towards the surface as the vertical component of a thermal convection current. It is thought to cause doming and finally rupturing of the earth’s crust at certain points.

ADVERTISEMENTS:

Which are known as ‘hot spots’ where continuous volcanic activity occurs? See Figure 4.4 in Chapter 4 where hot spots have been shown as circles with place names.