So what causes hotspots like the volcanoes on Hawaii?
8 December 2006
by Carina Lee
Recent isotope studies suggest that underground mantle plumes are most likely a cause of hotspot volcanoes, according to collaborated work done by geoscientists at Brown University. The competing theory suggests that large plumes are not necessary to explain hotspots, but recent observed evidence of isotopic Uranium decay ratios correlate well with modelled ratios, suggesting a close link between chemical studies of rocks found around hotspot regions. Contributing to data collated from 8 hotspot islands is Professor Alberto Saal. He explains “What’s exciting about this is that it allows us to make inferences about physical conditions based on chemical measurements.” Important information gained from these studies include critical temperature and timing differences the affect the composition of melt coming up from the mantle.
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The images shows the height differences indicating the Hawaiian Islands as a string image: NOAA |
Related Links
Original press release from Brown Univeristy
Nature
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ClearlyExplained.com