Help with a Geography question?

Question

Typically, earthquake and volcanic activity are located at plate boundaries. However, the Hawaiian Islands are not located on a plate boundary. What is occurring at this spot to allow for the formation of volcanoes? thanks in advance

Answer 1

Not all volcanoes are formed at the boundaries of tectonic plates.  Some are formed in the middle of plates by "plumes" of molten mantle below the plates rising up. As the plate above these plumes move, the active volcano and the area of the plate on which it rests cool and become dormant. A new volcano can then begin to form from that same plume, but now underneath a different area of the plate.

This is how chains of volcanoes are formed such as the Hawaiian Islands

Answer 2

It's called a hot spot.  Somehow the crust is weaker in that area, allowing the mantle to rise up closer to the surface.  Yellowstone National Park is the same thing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotspot_(ge...