Samoa reinstated as a primary hotspot trail

Abstract

Research Article| June 01, 2008 Samoa reinstated as a primary hotspot trail Anthony A.P. Koppers; Anthony A.P. Koppers * 1Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California–San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA, and College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, 104 COAS Administration Building, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, USA *E-mail: [e-mail]. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Jamie A. Russell; Jamie A. Russell 2Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California–San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Matthew G. Jackson; Matthew G. Jackson 3Department of Geology and Geophysics, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02540, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Jasper Konter; Jasper Konter 4Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California–San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA, and Department of Geological Sciences, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, California 92182, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Hubert Staudigel; Hubert Staudigel 5Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California–San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Stanley R. Hart Stanley R. Hart 6Department of Geology and Geophysics, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02540, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Anthony A.P. Koppers * 1Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California–San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA, and College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, 104 COAS Administration Building, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, USA Jamie A. Russell 2Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California–San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA Matthew G. Jackson 3Department of Geology and Geophysics, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02540, USA Jasper Konter 4Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California–San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA, and Department of Geological Sciences, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, California 92182, USA Hubert Staudigel 5Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California–San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA Stanley R. Hart 6Department of Geology and Geophysics, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02540, USA *E-mail: [e-mail]. Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 29 Nov 2007 Revision Received: 22 Jan 2008 Accepted: 24 Jan 2008 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 © 2008 Geological Society of America Geology (2008) 36 (6): 435–438. https://doi.org/10.1130/G24630A.1 Article history Received: 29 Nov 2007 Revision Received: 22 Jan 2008 Accepted: 24 Jan 2008 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Anthony A.P. Koppers, Jamie A. Russell, Matthew G. Jackson, Jasper Konter, Hubert Staudigel, Stanley R. Hart; Samoa reinstated as a primary hotspot trail. Geology 2008;; 36 (6): 435–438. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G24630A.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract The classical model for the generation of hotspot tracks maintains that stationary and deep-seated mantle plumes impinge on overriding tectonic plates, thereby generating age-progressive trails of volcanic islands and seamounts. Samoa has played a key role in discrediting this model and the very existence of mantle plumes, because early geochronological work failed to demonstrate a linear age progression along this chain of islands. Specifically on Savai'i Island, the bulk of the subaerial volcanics is younger than 0.39 Ma, much younger than the 5.1 Ma age predicted from the classical hotspot model and a constant 7.1 cm/yr Pacific plate motion. This discrepancy led to alternative magma-producing mechanisms that involve the cracking of the lithosphere beneath the Samoan islands, as a result of the extensional regime generated by the nearby Tonga Trench. Here we report 40Ar/39Ar ages from the submarine flanks of Savai'i Island showing that its volcanic construction began as early as 5.0 Ma and in a true intraplate setting. This reinstates Samoa as a primary hotspot trail associated with a deep mantle plume and a linear age progression. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.