Question

State the meaning of the term 'hot spot' in the context of the Earth crust. Write one advantage and one limitation of utilizing energy obtained from the hot spots.

Answer 1

Hint: We know that hotspots reside inside the structure of earth. We know that the energy utilized from these hotspots can be used as it is cheap and further an easy source of producing electricity. We use these basic concepts and answer the question.

Complete step-by-step answer:
A hot spot is said to be an area on Earth over a mantle plume. Hot spot can also be understood as an area under the rocky outer layer of Earth, called the crust, where magma is hotter than surrounding magma. This magma plume causes melting and thinning of the rocky crust and it also widespread volcanic activity.
Since, there are many advantages and limitations of utilizing energy obtained from the hot spots. The one major advantage of utilizing energy from this hotspot is that the cost of production of electricity is very less compared to other sources of electricity.
Further, one major limitation of utilizing energy from this hotspot is that there are very few commercial sites that use this energy, this source of energy is used only in limited applications.

Additional Information: Here, we should also know the structure of our earth. We can say that the structure of the earth is divided into four major components called- the crust, the mantle, the outer core, and the inner core. Each of these layers has a unique chemical composition, physical state, and can impact life on Earth's surface. Now, we also know that movement in the mantle, which is caused by variations in heat from the core, causes the plates to shift, which further can cause earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Therefore, these earthquakes and volcanic eruptions affect the lives and environment on earth.

Note: We should remember that energy utilized from the hotspot of earth does not have many applications today, but since they are cheap or less expensive there can be future rise in its applications. Hotspot is present inside the crust, which is the outermost layer of the earth’s structure.