The Variable Seismic Signatures of Upwellings in the Transition Zone and Mid-mantle beneath Africa

The African superplume, is widely considered to have caused the∼ 30Ma volcanism at the Ethiopian traps and has frequently been linked to other distinct loci of cenozoic volcanism across Africa. The contribution of more localised upwellings to African volcanism, that may or may not originate below the mantle transition zone is the subject of considerable debate. Observations of seismic discontinuities from the mantle transition zone and deeper within the mid-mantle can provide insight into the variable thermochemical nature of upwellings beneath Africa, that can be reconciled with their surface expressions.