Final answer:
True, the islands of Hawaii are a chain of shield volcanoes created by volcanic activity from an undersea hot spot, with the hot spot remaining consistent as the Pacific Plate moves above it.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the islands of Hawaii are essentially a series of shield volcanoes built upward from the ocean floor over millions of years is True.
The Hawaiian Islands are a stunning example of volcanic activity resulting from a stationary magma source known as a hot spot. These hot spots are areas far from tectonic plate boundaries but are still incredibly active in bringing heat from Earth's interior to the surface. Over the past 100 million years, this Hawaii hot spot has steadily created a chain of volcanic islands as the Pacific Plate moved over it.
The process begins with an eruption on the ocean floor, and through successive eruptions, the volcanic material accumulates, eventually emerging above the ocean surface to form islands. The Hawaiian Islands, formed through this process, extend approximately 1,500 miles. Some of these volcanoes are among the largest in the world. For example, Mauna Kea, which is now a prime location for astronomy, stands 9 kilometers above the ocean floor and exceeds 100 kilometers in diameter. Other Hawaiian volcanoes such as Kilauea and Mauna Loa remain active, illustrating the ongoing volcanic nature of these islands.