hotspots

Hotspot is a term used to describe a place or region with a higher concentration of a particular phenomenon than surrounding areas. The concept is applied across many fields, including technology, geology, public health, criminology, and ecology. Identifying hotspots helps researchers and policymakers understand patterns, allocate resources, and monitor change over time, though interpretations vary by domain.

In computing, a Wi‑Fi hotspot is a location that provides wireless Internet access over a public network. They are common in cafes, airports, libraries, and hotels and often require login or acceptance of terms. Hotspots rely on a backhaul connection and may use captive portals, encryption, and traffic management to control access and performance.

Geologically, a hotspot is an area where hot mantle material rises toward the surface, generating volcanism away from plate boundaries. Mantle plumes are thought to provide relatively fixed heat sources as tectonic plates move over them, creating volcanic chains such as the Hawaiian Islands. Hotspots help scientists study mantle dynamics and the history of plate movements.

In public health, a disease or health hotspot is a location with unusually high rates of infection, illness, or risk factors. Hotspot analysis uses spatial statistics and mapping to detect clusters, monitor outbreaks, and guide targeted interventions and surveillance efforts. Hotspots can shift over time due to interventions or changing risk factors.

In criminology and urban planning, crime hotspots are places with elevated levels of crime or disorder. Analyzing these areas supports resource allocation, patrol planning, and environmental design. Limitations include reporting biases and the possibility that crime patterns move as policing concentrates or dispenses resources elsewhere.