The island of Hawaii is the youngest, and the islands get progressively older to the northwest. Plate tectonic theory explains this as Choose one: A. microplates breaking loose from the Pacific Plate as it moves, leaving this chain of islands in its wake. B. a hot spot currently sitting under Hawaii and the Pacific Plate moving across it in a northwesterly direction. C. the rifting of the Pacific Plate, starting at the northwest end of the chain and extending southeast to Hawaii. D. a hot spot moving under the Pacific Plate toward the southeast.

Option (B)

Explanation:

A hotspot is usually defined as the region that experiences extensive volcanic activities on the earth's surface. It is caused due to the rising up of magma from the deep interior of the earth, forming large columns of magma, and where the force exerted by the convection currents are high. For example, Hawaii are formed from a hotspot in the Pacific plate.

There is a hotspot located below the Pacific plate, and as the Pacific plate is moving towards the northwestern direction, it experiences extensive volcanism and gave rise to the formation of the Hawaii island. This is what the plate tectonic theory explains regarding the hotspots.

Thus, the correct answer is option (B).