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Tectonic Hotspots

WorldPhysical Environment

Locations of tectonic hotspots—areas in the mantle where heat rises as a thermal plume from deep in the Earth.

Smithsonian Institution

A world map shows tectonic hotspots around the globe, marked with red dots. High concentrations of hotspots are found along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the Pacific Ring of Fire. Areas with fewer hotspots include Europe, Asia, and Australia.

In North America, prominent hotspots are concentrated along the western United States, including the states of California, Oregon, and Washington, extending into Alaska. Additional hotspots are found in the Gulf of California, and in Central America, especially in Mexico and Guatemala. The Atlantic Ocean features multiple hotspots, notably near the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Africa's hotspots are primarily situated along the East African Rift, particularly in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania, with others scattered across the continent, including Nigeria and Algeria. The Indian Ocean hosts several hotspots, especially near Madagascar and the Seychelles. In Europe, hotspots are visible in Iceland, France, and Spain. Asia's tectonic activity is concentrated in Vietnam and Cambodia. The western part of the Arabian Peninsula, particularly Saudi Arabia, also shows considerable tectonic activity. The regions of Mongolia and Japan show numerous tectonic hotspots. The map also shows hotspots in the South Pacific Ocean, near New Zealand and various island nations.

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Tectonic Hotspots

Sea-Level Rise Vulnerability (70 m)

Tectonic Hotspots

Sea-Level Rise Vulnerability (70 m)

Utah
1
Idaho
1
Wyoming
1
Hawaii
1
Oregon
1
New Mexico
1
British Columbia
1
Colorado
1
Alaska
10.255%
Arizona
10.242%
Yukon
10.684%
Northwest Territories
0.108%
District of Columbia
77.4%
Florida
98.1%
New Hampshire
6.12%
Rhode Island
48.0%
Vermont
4.19%
Nunavut
0.364%
Maine
14.3%
Nova Scotia
17.9%
Virginia
21.7%
Delaware
97.2%
Mississippi
32.2%
Texas
11.0%
Louisiana
87.7%
North Carolina
41.0%
New Brunswick
20.2%
Alabama
25.8%
New Jersey
68.4%
South Carolina
49.2%
Connecticut
10.5%
Pennsylvania
0.839%
Massachusetts
37.7%
Georgia
30.7%
New York
0.347%
Maryland
53.3%
Québec
1.53%
Manitoba
7.86%
Ontario
8.71%
California
1.65%
Arkansas
31.1%
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