Dictionary

superplume en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• (US) audio

Etymology

From super- + plume.

Meanings

1. A large mantle plume.
2. An extremely large plume of something (gas, mist, etc.); a megaplume.
   • Superplumes may increase the rate of movement in the liquid outer core, altering the force of the geodynamo. 1993, Isaac Asimov, Jane Asimov, Frontiers II: More Recent Discoveries About Life, Earth, Space, and the Universe, Truman Talley Books/Dutton, page 95:
   • During this period, giant megaplumes exploded from deep within the earth, expelling huge quantities of molten material. These structures spread across the earth's surface, becoming ten times larger than average plumes. These “superplume” explosions were responsible for the volcanic activity that affected the ocean floor during the mid-Cretaceous period about 90 million to 100 million years ago. 1990, Roger Smith, Magill's Survey of Science: Earth Science Series Supplement, Volume 6, Salem Press, page 3160:
   • According to current theory, superplumes affect the shape of the crust, tectonic movement, geomagnetism, climate, and the course of evolution. 1995, George Ochoa, The Timeline Book of Science, Ballantine, page 377:

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