Melt Generation and Transport Beneath Hawaii: Characterizing the Zero Age Plume

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole MA

Investigators

Abstract

Sims EAR-9909473 The chain of Hawaiian Islands is the surface expression of one of the most active mantle plumes ('hot spots') on Earth. Measurements of U-series disequilibria, major and trace element compositions and Nd, and Sr isotopic ratios in young basalts from across the Hawaiian Island chain will be used to determine melting conditions in the Hawaiian plume. For that purpose, we will analyze a suite of rocks that include lavas from volcanoes that extend from the leading edge to the trailing end of the Hawaiian chain and cover most of the geochemical range exhibited by Hawaiian lavas. The main objective of this project will be to use this "zero age" time slice along the island chain, the U-series measurements, and numerical models of melting to characterize the change in melting dynamics from the core of the plume to its fringes.