Hawaii heat source debated

New study suggests a pancake, not a plume, formed the island chain

Like a pig at a luau, the Hawaiian Islands get roasted from below. But — like novice cooks — scientists aren’t sure what kind of heat it takes to really get things cooking.

THE FIRST LUAU The Hawaiian Islands formed, scientists say, from volcanoes that erupted as a piece of Earth’s crust slid over a deep hot spot.