Instructional Video

The Unusual Formation of the Hawaiian Islands

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet

How are the Hawaiian Islands different from other island chains? Discover the surprising geologic history of Hawaii with a video from a cool physics playlist. The narrator takes a hike with some geologists and discusses mantle plume theory, which may be responsible for Hawaii's very existence.

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CCSS: Adaptable
Additional Tags
Instructional Ideas
  • Use the video toward the end of a plate tectonics unit to show pupils an example of current geology research
  • Project the Google Earth view of Hawaii and trace the mantle plume path all the way to Siberia
Classroom Considerations
  • Before watching the video, talk with the class for a moment about plate tectonics to ensure they understand how islands normally form
  • This video is hosted on YouTube
Pros
  • Explains the theory using terms and ideas that are very relatable for high school-aged learners
  • Satellite imagery and diagrams do an excellent job of helping viewers understand the concepts in the video
Cons
  • None
Common Core