Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of continental hot spots?

Continental hot spots are areas where magma from the mantle rises to the Earth's surface, resulting in volcanic activity independent of tectonic plate boundaries. One key characteristic of continental hot spots is that they often produce volcanic activity that can create extensive volcanic fields or even large volcanic features like calderas.

The correct choice identifies that continental hot spots often have elevations that can be higher than the surrounding areas due to volcanic build-up. For instance, hotspots such as Yellowstone have significant elevation due to the presence of volcanic activity that produces large volcanic plateaus.

On the other hand, the other characteristics mentioned in the other options do relate to hot spots. They can indeed be active volcanic sites, and while they can be influenced by tectonic plate movements, they are not located at the traditional plate boundaries that characterize many other forms of volcanism, such as those found at subduction zones or mid-ocean ridges. Thus, the assertion that continental hot spots have lower elevations than their surroundings does not hold true, making it the correct choice for this question.