The Pacific Puzzle: Hawaii Shifts 3 Feet Towards Alaska Annually. Deep beneath the Earth’s surface, a slow and steady dance is unfolding. The Pacific Plate, home to the Hawaiian Islands, is inching its way towards the North American Plate, carrying the Aloha State closer to the Last Frontier. At a rate of nearly three feet per year, this gradual shift may seem imperceptible, but it’s a testament to the awe-inspiring forces that shape our planet. As we explore the fascinating phenomenon of plate tectonics, let’s dive into the remarkable story of how Hawaii is creeping closer to Alaska, and what this movement reveals about the dynamic and ever-changing Earth we call home.
Hawaii Overview
Hawaii is an island state of the United States, in the Pacific Ocean about 2,000 miles (3,200 km) southwest of the U.S. mainland. It is the only state not on the North American mainland, the only state that is an archipelago, and the only state in the tropics. It also hosts 10 out of 14 climates – the highest for any country subdivision – and is one of two U.S. states with a tropical climate.
Hawaii and Alaska are located on different tectonic plates, the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate, respectively. The Pacific Plate is moving northwestward towards the North American Plate at a rate of about 3-4 centimeters (1.2-1.6 inches) per year. This movement is responsible for the creation of the Hawaiian Islands, as volcanic activity occurs where the Pacific Plate is being pushed beneath the Earth’s surface.
The Pacific Plate’s movement carries Hawaii closer to Alaska, resulting in an annual 3-foot (approximately 90 cm) shift.. This process is extremely slow and has been occurring for millions of years, shaping the Earth’s surface and creating new landforms.
Please note that this movement is not noticeable in everyday life. And it’s a gradual process that occurs over geological timescales.
The name and language
The State of Hawaii derives its name from the name of its largest island, Hawaiʻi. Hawaiians named Hawaiʻi after Hawaiʻiloa, a figure from their oral tradition. He is said to have discovered the islands when they were first settled.
The Hawaiian language word Hawaiʻi is very similar to Proto-Polynesian Sawaiki. With the reconstructed meaning “homeland.”Cognates of Hawaiʻi are found in other Polynesian languages. Including Māori (Hawaiki), Rarotongan (ʻAvaiki), and Samoan (Savaiʻi). According to linguists Pukui and Elbert, “elsewhere in Polynesia, Hawaiʻi or a cognate is the name of the underworld or the ancestral home. But in Hawaii, the name has no meaning”.
Economy of Hawaii
Hawaii ranks relatively low among U.S. states in terms of personal income, farm products sold, value of manufacturing shipments, retail sales, and bank deposits. Largely because of its insularity and dependence on imports, Hawaii has a high cost of living.
Manufacturers include transportation costs in the prices of nearly all consumer goods. As Hawaii’s population rose, housing became increasingly difficult to acquire. And it is disproportionately expensive when compared with housing costs in many mainland states. Importers bring in most building materials, making them expensive due to high import costs and fees. Historically, residential land has been limited and highly-priced, since much of the property, notably on Oahu, is owned by corporations and trusts (though legislation has largely remedied this situation for owners of single-family homes if not for condominium owners).
One solution to the shortages and expense associated with urban housing has been the development of mixed-housing communities consisting of single-family homes, high-rise dwellings, townhouses, and apartment complexes.
Summary
As the Pacific Plate continues its relentless march towards the North American Plate, Hawaii’s gradual journey towards Alaska serves as a poignant reminder of the dynamic forces that shape our planet. This slow dance of the Earth’s crust may seem imperceptible in our daily lives, but it’s a testament to the awe-inspiring power of geological forces. As we gaze out at the tranquil Pacific Ocean, we’re witnessing a process that’s been unfolding for millions of years, a process that has created the very land we stand on. And who knows? In a few million years, Hawaii and Alaska might just be neighbors, their proximity a lasting legacy of the Earth’s eternal motion.
