Hawaiian Hotspot (IMAGE) Rice University Caption This is the movement of the Pacific plate across a mantle hotspot created the Hawaiian islands over millions of years. Credit National Geophysical Data Center/USGS/Wikimedia Commons Usage Restrictions Credit must be used. License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.