Mid-Cretaceous tectonic evolution of the Pacific-Phoenix-Farallon triple junction

TL;DRAbstract

This dissertation involves interpretation of geophysical data and physical models of plume-ridge fluid dynamics to comment on a major plate boundary reorganization that involved the triple junction joining the Pacific, Phoenix, and Farallon plates during Cretaceous time. The tectonic system examined herein involves a major ridge-ridge-ridge triple junction that was repositioned by hundreds of kilometers contemporaneously with the eruption of a nearby large igneous province named the Manihiki plateau. The proximity in time and space of these two events suggests that the volcanic episode was instrumental in relocation of the triple junction. Furthermore, the origin of the Manihiki plateau has been questioned and hypothesized to be related to volcanism at the Ontong-Java plateau, 2000 km along the Pacific-Phoenix ridge axis to the west. Geophysical observations made at sea provide valuable constraints on possible tectonic reconstructions. High resolution multibeam bathymetry and gravity m

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