A large number of volcanoes with distinct origions are developed on the tectonic boundaries and interior of the Pacific plate, thus the Pacific Ocean is an excellent laboratory to study volcanism on Earth. This review finds out that, scientists have conducted systematic researches of volcanism at mid-ocean ridges, subduction zone island arcs, and intraplate mantle plumes, proposing classical models of decompression melting, slab dehydration-induced mantle melting, and plume-related high temperature mantle melting. However, the deep origins and shallow channels of non-plume intra-plate volcanoes are still poorly understood. To address these important scientific issues, comprehensive multi-disciplinary joint observations must be conducted in the future.

Pacific Ocean  /  volcanic origin  /  island arcs  /  mantle plume  /  deep melting