Question

Decide whether each statement makes sense (or is clearly true) or does not make sense (or is clearly false). Explain your reasoning clearly; because not all of these have definitive answers, your explanation is more important than your chosen answer. Nearly all the rocks I found in the lava fields of Hawaii are igneous.

Short answer

The statement makes sense because lava fields in Hawaii are primarily igneous.

Step-by-step solution

Understand Igneous Rocks

Igneous rocks form from the solidification of molten magma and are a primary type of rock found in volcanic regions. Because Hawaii is made up of multiple volcanoes, the prevalence of igneous rocks is high.

Analyze Setting - Hawaiian Lava Fields

Lava fields in Hawaii are directly associated with volcanic activity. When lava cools, it solidifies into igneous rock. This means that igneous rocks are expected to be the most common in these areas due to direct volcanic lava solidification.

Evaluate the Statement

Given that the statement reports most rocks found in Hawaiian lava fields are igneous, and considering the setting and formation processes, this claim is logically consistent and believable. Lava fields are predominantly composed of solidified lava, or igneous rock.

Key concepts

volcanic regions

Volcanic regions are fascinating geological areas dominated by volcanic activity. These regions are usually associated with tectonic plate boundaries where magma from beneath the earth’s crust erupts onto the surface. When this lava cools and hardens, it forms igneous rocks.
In volcanic regions, you can often find a variety of unique landforms, such as:

• Volcanoes: Mountains or hills with a crater or vent through which lava, rock fragments, hot vapor, and gas are or have been erupted from the earth's crust.
• Calderas: Large cauldron-like hollow that forms following the evacuation of a magma chamber.
• Lava Fields: Extensive areas covered by lava flows.

These areas tend to be dynamic and can change rapidly due to ongoing volcanic activity. Due to the solidification of volcanic material, igneous rocks are the most commonly found rocks in these regions.

Hawaii geology

The geology of Hawaii is particularly intriguing due to its volcanic origins. The Hawaiian Islands are situated over a volcanic hotspot in the Pacific Ocean. This is a region where the mantle is abnormally hot, allowing magma from deep within the earth to rise to the surface, forming islands.
Each Hawaiian island was formed by at least one volcano, and each has a unique geological history. Here are some highlights of Hawaii's geology:

• The Big Island: Home to Mauna Loa and Kilauea, two of the most active volcanoes in the world.
• Oahu: Known for the iconic extinct volcanic crater Diamond Head.
• Maui: Features the Haleakalā volcano, renowned for its vast summit crater.
  

Lava from these volcanoes solidified to become the igneous rocks that make up most of Hawaii’s geological structure. This makes Hawaii a prime location for studying geological processes related to volcanoes.

lava fields

Lava fields are quite a sight, often appearing like a sea of dark, jagged rocks spread across large areas. They are formed from the flow of lava during eruptions that eventually cool and solidify. Over time, as the lava cools, it forms a flat or gently sloping landscape composed predominantly of igneous rocks.
There are a few key aspects of lava fields worth noting:

• Types of lava flows: Includes 'a‘ā (rough, chunky lava) and pāhoehoe (smooth, unbroken lava).
• Texture and appearance: Igneous rocks in lava fields have a distinctive look, often full of tiny gas bubbles that create a vesicular texture.
• Durability: These rocks are generally quite hard and durable, often composed of basalt, which withstands weathering quite well.

In Hawaii, the presence of active and dormant lava fields provides a living classroom where the processes of rock formation and transformation can be observed directly.