Researchers from the University of Queensland, including Dr. Tamini Tapu and Associate Professors Teresa Ubide and Paulo Vasconcelos, have studied Australia’s extinct hotspot volcanoes, revealing insights into the continent’s geological evolution over the last 35 million years. These volcano remnants indicate Australia’s movement over a stationary hotspot responsible for significant volcanic activity that created many of eastern Australia’s notable natural attractions. As the hotspot weakened, the volcanic activity diminished, with later volcanoes exhibiting smaller and shorter-lived eruptions. The characteristic shield volcanoes, like the Glass House Mountains, formed from fluid lava flows that created broad, gently sloping structures. This research underscores how the waning hotspot changed the internal complexity of the volcanoes, leading to eruptions marked by intricate crystal formations within the lava, suggesting an increase in explosive potential. The study positions these extinct volcanoes as a unique laboratory for understanding volcanic processes and hotspot activity globally. The erosion over millions of years has allowed researchers to examine complete lava sequences, enhancing our understanding of volcanic evolution and providing insights applicable to active hotspots like Yellowstone. The findings reveal the critical role of internal heat anomalies in shaping the Earth and highlight the importance of studying extinct volcanoes for global volcanic research.
