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Northward drift of the Azores plume in the Earth’s mantle

Author

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  • Maëlis Arnould

    (PSL Research University
    Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard, CNRS UMR 5276
    University of Sydney)

  • Jérôme Ganne

    (Université Toulouse III)

  • Nicolas Coltice

    (PSL Research University)

  • Xiaojun Feng

    (China University of Mining and Technology)

Abstract

Mantle plume fixity has long been a cornerstone assumption to reconstruct past tectonic plate motions. However, precise geochronological and paleomagnetic data along Pacific continuous hotspot tracks have revealed substantial drift of the Hawaiian plume. The question remains for evidence of drift for other mantle plumes. Here, we use plume-derived basalts from the Mid-Atlantic ridge to confirm that the upper-mantle thermal anomaly associated with the Azores plume is asymmetric, spreading over ~2,000 km southwards and ~600 km northwards. Using for the first time a 3D-spherical mantle convection where plumes, ridges and plates interact in a fully dynamic way, we suggest that the extent, shape and asymmetry of this anomaly is a consequence of the Azores plume moving northwards by 1–2 cm/yr during the past 85 Ma, independently from other Atlantic plumes. Our findings suggest redefining the Azores hotspot track and open the way for identifying how plumes drift within the mantle.

Suggested Citation

  • Maëlis Arnould & Jérôme Ganne & Nicolas Coltice & Xiaojun Feng, 2019. "Northward drift of the Azores plume in the Earth’s mantle," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-11127-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11127-7
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