Evidence for petit-spot volcanism in the Puerto Rico Trench

Geophysical Research Letters
By: , and 

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Abstract

Petit-spot volcanism occurs in intraplate settings along the outer rise of subducting plates. Here we present evidence for petit-spot type of volcanism from multibeam bathymetry and backscatter data from the Puerto Rico Trench (PRT). It is the first report of such volcanism in the Atlantic basin. Up to 34 possible petit-spot volcanic cones are mapped in the eastern section of the PRT, with an average diameter of 950 m and a mean height of 92 m. The seamounts are in a region of the PRT that has the longest and highest bending faults, up to 50.6 km long and 1.49 km high. Some of the volcanic cones are associated with fault scarps. The larger bending fault scarps in the region of the volcanic cones suggest the stress state in the eastern PRT is favorable for allowing asthenospheric melt to escape to the surface.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Evidence for petit-spot volcanism in the Puerto Rico Trench
Series title Geophysical Research Letters
DOI 10.1029/2024GL114362
Volume 52
Issue 10
Publication Date May 26, 2025
Year Published 2025
Language English
Publisher American Geophysical Union
Contributing office(s) Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
Description e2024GL114362, 10 p.
Country United States
Other Geospatial Puerto Rico Trench
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