Wanderlust World Wanderlust World No, the Hawaiian Islands are not the same age. They form a classic hotspot volcanic chain where the Pacific Plate moves NW over a stationary mantle plume.
| Island / Feature | Age (Ma) | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Kure Atoll | ~28–30 | Submerged atoll (Emperor Seamounts) |
| Midway Atoll | ~27 | Atoll |
| Pearl & Hermes | ~20 | Atoll |
| Lisianski | ~20 | Low island |
| Laysan | ~20 | Low island |
| Gardner Pinnacles | ~14 | Rocks |
| French Frigate Shoals | ~12 | Atoll |
| Necker (Mokumanamana) | ~10 | Volcanic remnant |
| Nihoa | ~7 | Volcanic remnant |
| Kauaʻi | ~5.1 | Oldest main island |
| Oʻahu | ~3.7 | Koʻolau & Waiʻanae volcanoes |
| Molokaʻi | ~1.9 | East & West Molokaʻi |
| Maui | ~1.3 | Haleakalā (East), West Maui |
| Lānaʻi | ~1.3 | Single shield |
| Kahoʻolawe | ~1.0 | Single shield |
| Hawaiʻi (Big Island) | ~0.4–0.7 (active) | Youngest – Kīlauea, Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea, Hualālai, Kohala |
| Lōʻihi Seamount | <0.1 | Submarine, next island |