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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

Insolation

Tectonic Hotspots

240–259

220–239

200–219

180–199

160–179

140–159

120–139

100–119

80–99

Less than 80

Alaska
128.4%69.2%2.23%
Arizona
144.2%33.7%22.1%
Utah
170.0%8.89%2.63%
Yukon
1100%
Northwest Territories
2.63%82.4%14.9%
District of Columbia
100%
Florida
32.7%67.3%
Idaho
178.1%21.9%
New Hampshire
100%
Rhode Island
100%
Vermont
100%
Washington
1.22%98.8%
Wyoming
112.4%87.6%
Nunavut
1.36%33.1%65.5%
Montana
14.7%85.3%
Maine
99.8%0.153%
North Dakota
100%
Kentucky
46.4%53.6%
Nova Scotia
52.4%47.6%
Virginia
2.49%97.5%
Delaware
100%
Prince Edward Island
100%
Saskatchewan
42.7%57.2%
Mississippi
82.1%17.9%
West Virginia
99.2%0.827%
Nebraska
9.53%90.5%
Texas
5.26%58.9%35.9%
Missouri
66.4%33.6%
Louisiana
26.8%73.2%
Hawaii
12.67%97.3%
North Carolina
73.0%27.0%
Oregon
196.3%3.75%
New Brunswick
47.2%52.8%
Alabama
66.2%33.8%
New Mexico
115.5%33.9%49.1%
Kansas
5.90%91.6%2.46%
Wisconsin
100%
British Columbia
121.7%31.5%46.8%
Newfoundland and Labrador
29.5%69.1%1.36%
New Jersey
51.6%48.4%
South Carolina
100%
Michigan
100%
Alberta
29.7%53.1%17.2%
Connecticut
100%
Pennsylvania
19.4%80.6%
Colorado
148.1%51.6%0.332%
Nevada
1.58%63.4%31.2%3.86%
Massachusetts
0.220%99.8%
Georgia
48.3%51.7%
New York
100%
Maryland
100%
Québec
10.4%38.5%41.0%10.1%
Manitoba
26.0%66.7%7.35%
Oklahoma
82.2%17.8%
Tennessee
100%
Ontario
30.4%56.0%13.7%
California
2.69%22.7%49.4%19.9%5.25%
Arkansas
50.1%49.9%
South Dakota
50.1%49.9%
Ohio
51.6%48.4%
Indiana
0.561%79.2%20.2%
Minnesota
99.9%
Iowa
77.7%22.3%
Illinois
11.8%73.8%14.4%
0.18.0