Physics
Scientific paper
Jun 1987
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1987natur.327..587m&link_type=abstract
Nature (ISSN 0028-0836), vol. 327, June 18, 1987, p. 587-591. NSF-supported research.
Physics
106
Earth Movements, Earth Planetary Structure, Plates (Tectonics), Primitive Earth Atmosphere, Ocean Bottom, Seamounts, Volcanology
Scientific paper
The history of the motion of the Pacific plate over the Hawaiian hotspot defined by the ages of volcanic rocks along the Hawaiian-Emperor chain is used here to calculate relative positions of hotspots (presumed to be fixed) beneath Iceland, Tristan de Cunha, Reunion, Kerguelen, and St. Paul's Island. The positions are found to lie from several hundred to more than a thousand km from the traces left by them. These calculations call for relative velocities between these hotspots and Hawaii of at least 10 mm/yr and as much as 20 mm/yr in some cases. Thus, the hotspot traces do not define a fixed reference frame, and uncertainties in plate reconstructions are much smaller than the errors made in reconstructions based on the assumption of fixed hotspots.
Molnar Peter
Stock Joann
No associations
LandOfFree
Relative motions of hotspots in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans since late Cretaceous time does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Relative motions of hotspots in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans since late Cretaceous time, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Relative motions of hotspots in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans since late Cretaceous time will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1818784