Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
We show that there is a strong and consistent correlation between mantle plume brings hotter than normal mantle beneath the spreading centre at the time of crustal formation geochemical and geophysical estimates of the amount of melt generated in the mantle beneath oceanic ridges. This correlation holds across (White, 1997), causing enhanced melting and the production of thicker crust. Elsewhere, the consistency of all spreading rates and on scales down to the size of individual ridge segments. There is an abrupt decrease in the amount of oceanic crustal thickness over nearly an order of magnitude range of spreading rates (from 20 mm/a in the melt generated at full spreading rates below >20 mm/a. Our observations are consistent with the conclusion that 20 mm/a points to the importance of conductive cooling inhibiting at mid-ocean ridges. In particular, it may discriminate melting of the upwelling mantle at very slow-spreading centres.
White et al. (Fri,) studied this question.