3-D Modelling of Plume-Lithosphere Interaction: The Cosgrove Track, Eastern Australia

Compared to oceanic hotspot tracks, volcanic provinces within Earth's continents generally exhibit more intricate surface characteristics, such as spatio-temporal distribution and geochemical signatures of erupted lavas. These complex surface patterns relate to dynamic interactions in the uppermost convective layer of the mantle, where decompression melting occurs. The Cosgrove Track of Eastern Australia constitutes a compelling example of such continental volcanic activity. Recent studies support a mantle plume having sustained the volcanism and discuss several notable features, such as lithosphere-modulated volcanic activity, plume waning, separate volcanic tracks, and plate-motion change.

Here, we simulate the proposed interaction between the Cosgrove plume and eastern Australia during the past 35 Myr. We design a 3-D analogue of the Australian continent using available lithospheric architecture determined through seismic tomography and impose the inferred plate motion associated with this region. Our models incorporate updated peridotite melting and melt chemistry parameterisations that provide quantitative estimates of generated melt volume and composition. We find that plume-driven and shallow edge-driven melting processes, modulated by the lithospheric thickness of the Australian continent, combine to explain the observed volcanic record. Our preliminary results agree well with surface observations and provide further insight into the geodynamics of eastern Australia.