Reply to Comment by Peace et al. on “Revealing the Cape Verde Hotspot Track Across the Great Lakes”
Year: 2025
Type: letter
Abstract: In Tao et al. (2025, https://doi.org/10.1029/2024GL110777 ), we presented a high‐resolution seismic anisotropy model, proposing that the Cape Verde (CV) hotspot caused enhanced radial anisotropy in the North American lithosphere. We also suggested that this interaction could have created zones of low‐lying topography that set the stage for later formation of the Great Lakes by glacial scouring. Peace et al. (2025, https://doi.org/10.1029/2025GL115634 ) agreed that glacial scouring created the Great Lakes, but they disputed the contribution of the CV hotspot. They also questioned aspects of our interpretation of the anisotropy and the uniqueness of hotspot tracks across North America. Here we address these points and further explain the consistency of the Tao et al. (2025, https://doi.org/10.1029/2024GL110777 ) anisotropy model with the track of the CV hotspot across eastern North America.
Source: Geophysical Research Letters
DOI: 10.1029/2025gl118941
Authors: Aibing Li, Karen Fischer, Jonny Wu, Zhongmin Tao
Institutions: University of Houston, Brown University, University of Arizona
Language: English
Subfield: Geology
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,190
Funder: National Science Foundation
OpenAlex ID: W4416409877