A mechanism for spontaneous self-perpetuating volcanism on the terrestrial planets

Abstract

We present a model for self-perpetuating magmatism resulting from Rayleigh-Taylor like instabilities developing spontaneously in regions that are partially molten, or at the solidus. The mechanism is capable of generating large volumes of magma without the need of a plume, or other deep source. Numerical models have been used to determine characteristic timescales, spacings and eruption rates in terms of nondimensional parameters. Scaled to realistic parameter space, the results correspond to timescales and eruption rates compatible with observations of small-scale intra-plate volcanism. Applications to oceanic seamount production, volcano spacing and rapid lithospheric erosion are discussed.