What is the geological significance of hot spots?

Hot spots are regions where magma from deep within the Earth rises to the surface, resulting in volcanic activity that is not necessarily associated with tectonic plate boundaries. This activity provides valuable insights into mantle dynamics by allowing scientists to study the composition and behavior of the mantle as well as the processes that lead to the formation of magma. The existence of hot spots, such as the one beneath Hawaii, serves as evidence for the movement of tectonic plates over a stationary mantle plume, giving geologists information about plate movements and the structure of the Earth's interior.

In contrast, the other options convey inaccurate information about hot spots. They are not always located at plate boundaries, as they can exist in the interior of tectonic plates. They are, in fact, closely related to geological features, contradicting the claim that they have no relationship with them, and they are characterized by volcanic activity, making the notion of lacking volcanic activity incorrect.