Statistical Self-similarity of Hotspot Seamount Volumes Modeled as Self-similar Criticality

S. F. Tebbens, S. M. Burroughs, C. C. Barton, D. F. Naar

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The processes responsible for hotspot seamount formation are complex, yet the cumulative frequency-volume distribution of hotspot seamounts in the Easter Island/Salas y Gomez Chain (ESC) is found to be well-described by an upper-truncated power law. We develop a model for hotspot seamount formation where uniform energy input produces events initiated on a self-similar distribution of critical cells. We call this model Self-Similar Criticality (SSC). By allowing the spatial distribution of magma migration to be self-similar, the SSC model recreates the observed ESC seamount volume distribution. The SSC model may have broad applicability to other natural systems.

Original languageAmerican English
JournalGeophysical Research Letters
Volume28
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2001

Disciplines

  • Life Sciences

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