Journal
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
Volume 49, Issue 7, Pages -Publisher
AMER GEOPHYSICAL UNION
DOI: 10.1029/2022GL098003
Keywords
plume-lithosphere interactions; mantle plumes; geothermal heat flux; lithospheric thinning; continental plume tracks; upper mantle viscosity structure
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Funding
- Research Council of Norway [223272, 288449]
- European Space Agency (ESA)
- National Science Foundation [EAR-0949446, EAR-1550901]
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This study uses numerical models and analytical relationships to investigate the relationship between surface heat flux anomalies and lithosphere thinning following plume-lithosphere interactions. By observing lithosphere thinning and increased surface heat flux, different-aged plume tracks can be identified even without volcanic activity.
While hotspot tracks beneath thin oceanic lithosphere are visible as volcanic island chains, the plume-lithosphere interaction for thick continental or cratonic lithosphere often remains hidden due to the lack of volcanism. To identify plume tracks with missing volcanism, we characterize the amplitude and timing of surface heat flux anomalies following a plume-lithosphere interaction using mantle convection models. Our numerical results confirm an analytical relationship in which surface heat flux increases with the extent of lithosphere thinning, which is primarily controlled by the viscosity structure of the lower lithosphere and the asthenosphere. We find that lithosphere thinning is greatest when the plate is above the plume conduit, while the maximum heat flux anomaly occurs about 40-140 Myr later. Therefore, younger continental and cratonic plume tracks can be identified by observed lithosphere thinning, and older tracks by an increased surface heat flux, even if they lack extrusive magmatism.
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