One of the world’s most extensive intraplate volcanic regions is located in Eastern Australia, including the world’s longest continental hotspot trail and two parallel trails offshore (Tasmantid and Lord Howe Seamount chains). Hotspot trails are thought to arise from mantle plumes, whose episodic eruptions have caused environmental crises affecting the world’s atmosphere (release of gas and aerosols), biosphere (mass extinctions) and hydrosphere (altering ocean circulation and chemistry). Identifying mantle plume eruptions in the geological record provides us with a window into the deep Earth.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://www.geo-down-under.org.au/expedition-to-the-coral-sea/