Motion of Pacific basin hotspots: Paleomagnetic investigation of the Late Cretaceous Southern Volcanics (Chatham Islands)

板块构造的一个基本原则是固定的热点参考框架，但来自太平洋板块的古地磁数据越来越多地挑战这一假设的准确性。 这项研究将对太平洋板块最南端的岩石进行现代古地磁分析，并将结果与钻探夏威夷-皇帝链部分的ODP 197航次的结果进行比较。 将在查塔姆和皮特群岛对晚白垩世岩石进行取样，并分析其磁性特征和放射性年龄。 由此产生的古磁极将进一步限制板块电路，提供额外的信息，晚白垩世古气候的解释，并可能有助于规划潜在的钻探路易斯维尔热点轨道在未来。 更广泛的影响包括涉及研究生，本科生和K-12学生的教育工作。 此外，这项研究可能有助于对我们对热点固定性的理解进行实质性修订。

A fundamental tenet of plate tectonics is the fixed hotspot reference frame, but paleomagnetic data from the Pacific Plate increasingly challenge the veracity of this assumption. This study will conduct a modern paleomagnetic analysis of rocks from the southernmost part of the Pacific Plate and compare the results with those of ODP Leg 197, which drilled parts of the Hawaii-Emperor chain. Late Cretaceous rocks will be sampled on the Chatham and Pitt Islands and analyzed for magnetic signatures and radiometric ages. The resulting paleomagnetic pole will further constrain plate circuits, provide additional information for interpretation of Late Cretaceous paleoclimate, and possibly assist with planning for potential drilling of the Louisville hotspot track in the future. Broader impacts include educational efforts involving graduate, undergraduate, and K-12 students. In addition, this research could contribute to substantial revision in our understanding of hotspot fixity.