When under continental crust, they tend to form powerful rhyolite volcanos such as the Yellowstone Caldera, while those under oceanic crust form weaker basalt volcanos such as Hawaii.
Theories surrounding their formation include localized heating due to asteroid impacts. Although some geologists claim their effects can be explained entirely through plate tectonics and localized interactions between the upper mantle and the crust, they are generally believed to be the product of upwelling from the lower mantle in the form of a mantle plume. When under continental crust, they tend to form powerful rhyolite volcanos such as the Yellowstone Caldera, while those under oceanic crust form weaker basalt volcanos such as Hawaii. For 10 points, name these fixed points on the Earth's surface with continuous volcanism that leave trails on moving tectonic plates.
Theories surrounding their formation include localized heating due to asteroid impacts.
{hotspots}