A Non-Extensive Statistical Mechanics View on Easter Island Seamounts Volume Distribution

Filippos Vallianatos

doi:10.3390/geosciences8020052

Abstract

In the volcanic complex processes, inherent long-range interactions exist suggesting that Non-Extensive Statistical mechanics could be used to describe fundamental properties of the system. Based on the non-extensive Tsallis entropy a frequency-volume distribution function is suggested for the Easter Island-Salas y Gomez seamounts chain. Our results demonstrate the applicability of fundamental principles of Tsallis entropy to derive the cumulative distribution of seamounts volumes. The work suggests that the processes responsible for hotspot seamount formation are complex and the cumulative frequency-volume distribution of seamounts in the Easter Island/Salas y Gomez Chain (ESC) are well-described by a q-exponential function. The analysis leads to a non-extensive index q = 1.54 in agreement with that presented in other geodynamic or laboratory scale effects.

Highlights

The geodynamic processes of the lithosphere can leave traces on the seafloor
In this work we focused in the Easter Island and Salas y Gómez Island chain of seamounts or volcanoes [7] called as Easter Seamounts Chain (ESC)
In the present work we demonstrate the feasibility of the non-extensive statistics applied to the volume distribution of the Easter Island/Salas y Gomez Chain (ESC) volumes

Summary

Introduction

The geodynamic processes of the lithosphere can leave traces on the seafloor Such traces in the Oceanic intraplate topography are the volcanic islands and seamounts. Non-extensivity represents one of the most intriguing characteristics of systems that have experienced long-range spatial correlations [15] Since they are key components of Earth physics processes, Tsallis statistical mechanics is suitable to explore the distribution of seamounts in ESC. The question whether submarine volcanoes and seamounts are described by non-extensive statistical physics, even at the phenomenological level (i.e., without specifying any underlying model), represents a challenge. This is the problem we address here. Our aim is not to develop a precise model, but rather to present a simple argument of physical plausibility

Regional Tectonic Setting and Bathymetric Data Used

ESC Data and Discussion

Conclusions