MANTLE PLUMES BENEATH THE BAIKAL RIFT ZONE AND ADJACENT AREAS: GEOPHYSICAL EVIDENCE

Abstract

Late Cenozoic alkaline basic volcanics in the Baikal Rift Zone and adjacent territories of eastern Siberia and central Mongolia are relatively small in volume. However, the geochemical and isotopic signatures indicate that these volcanics could be related to mantle plumes [1–3]. At the same time, some researchers deem that the geochemical signature does not serve as critical evidence for the existence of plumes [4]. Geophysical methods may substantially help in the identification and localization of mantle plumes. The gravity and seismic evidence in favor of mantle plume development in the study region is discussed in this communication.