Deep Origin of Hotspots--the Mantle Plume Model (original) (raw)

The study investigates the origins of volcanic hotspots, focusing on the mantle plume model which suggests that these hotspots, such as Hawaii, arise from deep-seated upwelling of hot mantle rock beneath the Earth's surface. While the plume model is widely accepted, recent seismological studies have produced mixed results about the existence of deep mantle sources for certain hotspots, prompting a re-evaluation of the model. Observations indicate some hotspots may indeed have deep origins, though not all volcanoes away from tectonic plate boundaries necessitate a deep mantle plume, suggesting the need for refined models incorporating both deep and shallow Earth processes in understanding global volcanism.