Intraplate volcanism near lateral slab edges: Result of deep mantle plumes or slab rollback-induced mantle flow?

A fundamental debate in geodynamics concerns the origin of intraplate volcanism. The mantle plume model might explain volcanic hotspot trails, but the model is less convincing for volcanic features that do not align along trails. This project will investigate the dynamics of edges of subduction zones, places where a tectonic plate sinks into the Earth's mantle. Such edges are often associated with voluminous intraplate volcanism, either next to the slab edge (e.g. Kamchatka) or significantly offset from the edge (e.g. Samoa, Mount Etna). Advanced geodynamic subduction models will investigate how 3D mantle flow patterns near slab edges might source such volcanism and results will be applied to settings bordering the Australian plate.