Fig. 3: Schematic diagrams showing the formation of the Ninetyeast Ridge and the motions of the Kerguelen hotspot.
From: Earth’s longest preserved linear volcanic ridge generated by a moving Kerguelen hotspot
A Stage I from ~83 Ma to 66 Ma. B Stage II from ~66 Ma to 62 Ma. C Stage III from ~62 Ma to 53 Ma. D Stage IV from ~53 Ma to 46 Ma. The structure of the mantle plume refers to Dongmo Wamba et al.16. The scale of the plume structure above the mantle ponding zones in the upper mantle is exaggerated in order to demonstrate its interaction with the spreading ridges. The red and black lines indicate the Indian–Antarctic spreading ridges and fracture zones, respectively. The red dashed line indicates an extinct spreading ridge segment. The black and purple arrows indicate the motions of the Indian–Antarctic spreading ridges and the Kerguelen hotspot, respectively. The Kerguelen mantle plume rises from the southeastern corner of the African large low shear velocity province (relative size exaggerated for the plume)52. NER Ninetyeast Ridge, LLSVP large low shear velocity province.
