Definition of «mantle plume»

A mantle plume is a hypothetical upwelling of abnormally hot, buoyant material from deep within Earth's mantle that rises and forms a large-scale feature on the surface. These plumes are thought to be responsible for the formation of certain types of volcanic hotspots around the world, such as Hawaii and Iceland. The term "mantle plume" was first coined by geophysicist Dr. William Morgan in 1972.

Sentences with «mantle plume»

Their findings further substantiate the critical role of mantle plumes in forming large igneous provinces. (sciencedaily.com)
Volcanic seamount chains such as Hawaii were created from magma produced near the surface by mantle plumes. (sciencedaily.com)
They slow down the seismic waves caused by earthquakes and may be the culprit for deep mantle plumes, which can lead to volcanic hotspots like those that created Yellowstone National Park or the Hawai'ian Islands. (scientificamerican.com)
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