The chains formation is best explained by movement of the Pacific Plate over the Louisville hotspot[5] although others had suggested by leakage of magma from the shallow mantle up through the Eltanin fracture zone, which it follows closely for some of its course.

[2] Volcanic hotspot chains are used to suggest the net movements of tectonic plates and so in the case of the large Pacific Plate validation of models of its movement and indeed the hot spot hypothesis itself relies on data from several hot spot chains.

[12] This implies that the subduction of the volcanoes compared to normal sediment has a significant impact in terms of normal relief of stress but it is unclear if the subducted volcanoes relieve it as suggested by some[13] or say increase potential for sudden release.

Further a postulated historic change in trend of the subducted Louisville chain compared to present is backed up by compositional analysis of more recent arc volcanism as the volcanics from the Louisville chain are recycled.

[16] They can be a fishery resource for species such as the orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus) that can be fished by bottom trawling.