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The Cretaceous submarine Ontong Java Plateau, in the western Pacific Ocean, is the most voluminous of the world's large igneous provinces (LIPs), and represents the largest known magmatic event on Earth. LIPs are the products of basaltic volcanism on a scale and at an effusion rate not seen on Earth at the present time, and their formation may have had significant effects on the Earth's climate and biosphere. The currently favoured explanation for LIP formation is the rapid decompression and melting of anomalously hot mantle in the heads of newly ascended mantle plumes. This volume summarizes the results of research aimed principally at testing the plume-head hypothesis for the formation of the Ontong Java Plateau, and presents the results of integrated studies following recent basement drilling on the plateau by the Ocean Drilling Program. Nineteen papers cover topics as diverse as petrology, geochemistry, tectonics, volcanology, palaeomagnetism and biostratigraphy.Also available:Sumatra: Geology, Resources and Tectonic Evolution (Geological Society Memoirs) - ISBN 1862391807 Tectonics of Strike-Slip Restraining and Releasing Bends - Special Publication no 290 - ISBN 1862392382 The Geological Society of LondonFounded in 1807, the Geological Society of London is the oldest geological society in the world, and one of the largest publishers in the Earth sciences.The Society publishes a wide range of high-quality peer-reviewed titles for academics and professionals working in the geosciences, and enjoys an enviable international reputation for the quality of its work.The many areas in which we publish in include:-Petroleum geology-Tectonics, structural geology and geodynamics-Stratigraphy, sedimentology and paleontology-Volcanology, magmatic studies and geochemistry-Remote sensing-History of geology-Regional geology guides
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Origin and Evolution of the Ontong Java Plateau Geological Society Special Publications Society Book Editors R. J. PANKHURST (CHIEF EDITOR) P. DOYLE F. J. GREGORY J. S. GRIFFITHS A. J. HARTLEY R. E. HOLDSWORTH J. A. HOWE P. T. LEAT A. C. MORTON N. S. ROBINS J. P. TURNER Special Publication reviewing procedures The Society makes every effort to ensure that the scientific and production quality of its books matches that of its journals. Since 1997, all book proposals have been refereed by specialist reviewers as well as by the Society's Books Editorial Committee. If the referees identify weaknesses in the proposal, these must be addressed before the proposal is accepted. Once the book is accepted, the Society has a team of Book Editors (listed above) who ensure that the volume editors follow strict guidelines on refereeing and quality control. We insist that individual papers can only be accepted after satisfactory review by two independent referees. The questions on the review forms are similar to those for Journal of the Geological Society. The referees' forms and comments must be available to the Society's Book Editors on request. Although many of the books result from meetings, the editors are expected to commission papers that were not presented at the meeting to ensure that the book provides a balanced coverage of the subject. Being accepted for presentation at the meeting does not guarantee inclusion in the book. Geological Society Special Publications are included in the ISI Index of Scientific Book Contents, but they do not have an impact factor, the latter being applicable only to journals. More information about submitting a proposal and producing a Special Publication can be found on the Society's web site: www.geolsoc.org.uk. It is recommended that reference to all or part of this book should be made in one of the following ways: FITTON, J. G., MAHONEY, J. J., WALLACE, P. J. & SAUNDERS, A. D. (eds) 2004. Origin and Evolution of the Ontong Java Plateau. G