Laboratory-Scale Simulation of Spiral Plumes in the Mantle

TL;DR

This paper presents a laboratory simulation demonstrating how spiral mantle plumes form from hot spots within large-scale convective flows, potentially explaining volcanic island chains.

Contribution

It introduces a new mechanism for spiral plume formation in the mantle based on laboratory modeling, linking hot spots to volcanic island chains.

Findings

Spiral plumes form from hot points in large-scale mantle flow.

Horizontal sections of plumes may lead to volcanic island chains.

Laboratory results support mantle convection theories.

Abstract

On the basis of laboratory simulation a mechanism is established for the formation of the upper mantle convection spiral plumes from a hot point in the presence of a roll-type large-scale convective flow. The observed plume has horizontal sections near the upper limit, which may lead to the formation of chains of volcanic islands.