Three-stage evolution of the Proto-Tethys Ocean. (IMAGE)
Caption
(a) Reconstruction of the onset and spreading of the Proto-Tethys Ocean at ca. 620 Ma after the breakup of the Rodinia Supercontinent; (b) Migration of the oceanic plate results in significant changes in the thickness of the lithospheric mantle above the mantle plume and its melting depth, resulting in different magma compositions; (c) Continuous plume activity of 620-470 Ma forms the seamount chain. With oceanic plate subduction, the buoyant seamount chain reaches the subduction zone and may accrete to the continent or be subducted with the oceanic crust to the deep mantle.
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