Open AccessProbing South Pacific mantle plumes with ocean bottom seismographs
Author(s) -
Suetsugu D.,
Sugioka H.,
Isse T.,
Fukao Y.,
Shiobara H.,
Kanazawa T.,
Barruol G.,
Schindelé F.,
Reymond D.,
Bonneville A.,
Debayle E.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
eos, transactions american geophysical union
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.316
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 2324-9250
pISSN - 0096-3941
DOI - 10.1029/2005eo440001
Subject(s) - mantle (geology) , geology , volcano , seismometer , hotspot (geology) , mantle plume , seismic tomography , seismology , geophysics , tectonics , lithosphere
The seismic structure beneath the South Pacific superswell has not been well explored in spite of its significance for mantle dynamics. The region is characterized by a topographic high of more than 680 m [ Adam and Bonneville , 2005]; a concentration of hot spot island chains (e.g., Society Cook‐Austral, Marquesas, and Pitcairn) whose volcanic rocks have isotopic characteristics suggesting deep mantle origin; and a broad, low‐velocity anomaly in the lower mantle that has been revealed by seismic tomography These observations suggest the presence of a large‐scale mantle flow from the bottom of the mantle beneath the region, which is called a ‘superplume’ [ McNutt , 1998[.