Upper- and mid-mantle interaction between the Samoan plume and the Tonga–Kermadec slabs

Abstract

Plume-slab interaction and its surface expression remain poorly understood. Here, the authors compare 3-D anisotropic tomography and geodynamical models, and show that the stagnation and fastest trench retreat of the Tonga slab are consistent with an interaction with the Samoan plume and the Hikurangi plateau.