Fig. 3: Flexure along the HESC based on the T_e derived from gravity modeling.

a The T_e derived from gravity modeling. The color bar shows the RMS difference between the observed and calculated gravity anomaly. HEB = Hawaiian-Emperor Bend. b The ‘upstream’ flexure (black solid lines) associated with the individual seamount and ocean island loads. The red dotted line shows the progressive flexure due to all the loads. c The flexure of the oceanic crust along the HESC based on summing the individual loads and the progressive flexure. Shaded areas show the flexed oceanic crust (dark blue), the material that infills the flexure immediately beneath the edifice and the load (intermediate blue), and the load (light blue). Red-filled triangles show the depth to the top and base (i.e., Moho) of the flexed oceanic crust based on the seismic data in Fig. 4. Circles show guyots, and triangles show atolls. Green-filled circles based on Hess⁸⁵ and black filled circles based on Smoot⁸⁶. Yellow-filled triangles based on Goldberg⁸⁷. TOC = Top of Oceanic Crust. PHA = Pearl and Hermes Atoll. GP = Gardner Pinnacles. FFS = French Frigate Shoals.