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Some volcanic hot spots may have a surprisingly shallow heat source

Geologic processes nearer the surface, rather than deep-mantle plumes, may fuel activity there

satellite image of Ascension island

Volcanic activity that formed the tiny island of Ascension, in the South Atlantic, may have been fueled by shallow geologic processes rather than a deep-mantle plume, a new study suggests.

NASA/Wikimedia Commons

By Sid Perkins

- More than 2 years ago

Some of the world’s volcanic hot spots may be fueled by molten material that originates surprisingly close to Earth’s surface.