How old are the oldest Hawaiian volcanoes?

The oldest Hawaiian volcanoes are approximately 30 million years old, specifically referring to those that make up the island of Kauai and other older landforms in the Hawaiian archipelago. This dating aligns with geological studies that indicate the formation of these volcanoes through volcanic activity that began as early as 5 million years after the hotspot that created the Hawaiian Islands was established. The age of these volcanoes is determined through radiometric dating techniques, which analyze the decay of isotopes within the volcanic rock.

The timeline of volcanic activity in Hawaii demonstrates a progressive aging of the islands as they migrate northwestward away from the hotspot, leading to the current islands’ formation. Thus, the correct selection of 30 million years reflects the historical geological evidence of the most ancient of these volcanic structures.