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Easter microplate evolution

Abstract

Geochemical evidence confirms that there is current active spreading on both the East and West Rift zones of the Easter microplate, and northwards propagation of the East Rift with the active tip at 25° S. The East Rift is influenced by lateral flow of plume-derived material from a hotspot located beneath either Sala y Gomez or Easter Island. Spreading rate variation does not seem to be influential in controlling the composition of erupted basalts.

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Schilling, JG., Sigurdsson, H., Davis, A. et al. Easter microplate evolution. Nature 317, 325–331 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1038/317325a0

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