Cenozoic changes in Pacific absolute plate motion

Abstract

Using the polygonal finite rotation method (PFRM) in conjunction with the hotspotting technique, a model of Pacific absolute plate motion (APM) from 65 Ma to the present has been created. This model is based primarily on the Hawaiian-Emperor and Louisville hotspot trails but also incorporates the Cobb, Bowie, Kodiak, Foundation, Caroline, Marquesas and Pitcairn hotspot trails. Using this model, distinct changes in Pacific APM have been identified at 48, 27, 23, 18, 12 and 6 Ma. These changes are reflected as kinks in the linear trends of Pacific hotspot trails. The sense of motion and timing of a number of circum Pacific tectonic events appear to be correlated with these changes in Pacific APM. With the model and discussion presented here it is suggested that Pacific hotpots are fixed with respect to one another and with respect to the mantle. If they are moving as some paleomagnetic results suggest, they must be moving coherently in response to large-scale mantle flow.