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Mantle plumes and their role in Earth processes

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-21, 08:13 authored by Koppers, AAP, Becker, TW, Jackson, MG, Konrad, K, Muller, RD, Romanowicz, B, Steinberger, B, Joanne WhittakerJoanne Whittaker
The existence of mantle plumes was first proposed in the 1970s to explain intra-plate, hotspot volcanism, yet owing to difficulties in resolving mantle upwellings with geophysical images and discrepancies in interpretations of geochemical and geochronological data, the origin, dynamics and composition of plumes and their links to plate tectonics are still contested. In this Review, we discuss progress in seismic imaging, mantle flow modelling, plate tectonic reconstructions and geochemical analyses that have led to a more detailed understanding of mantle plumes. Observations suggest plumes could be both thermal and chemical in nature, can attain complex and broad shapes, and that more than 18 plumes might be rooted in regions of the lowermost mantle. The case for a deep mantle origin is strengthened by the geochemistry of hotspot volcanoes that provide evidence for entrainment of deeply recycled subducted components, primordial mantle domains and, potentially, materials from Earth's core. Deep mantle plumes often appear deflected by large-scale mantle flow, resulting in hotspot motions required to resolve past tectonic plate motions. Future research requires improvements in resolution of seismic tomography to better visualize deep mantle plume structures at smaller than 100-km scales. Concerted multi-proxy geochemical and dating efforts are also needed to better resolve spatiotemporal and chemical evolutions of long-lived mantle plumes.

Funding

Australian Research Council

Australian National University

Curtin University

University of Canberra

University of Melbourne

University of New South Wales

University of South Australia

University of Western Australia

History

Publication title

Nature Reviews Earth and Environment

Issue

6

Pagination

382-401

ISSN

2662-138X

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

Nature Publishing Group

Place of publication

United Kingdom

Rights statement

© Springer Nature Limited 2021

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Expanding knowledge in the earth sciences

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