Discussion of “Break-up spots: Could the Pacific open as a consequence of plate kinematics?” by Clouard and Gerbault

Available isotopic age dates from the Foundation, Austral, Cook, Tokelau, and Gilbert island-seamount chains, combined with kinematic plate-hotspot modelling, indicate that the five chains originated from three distinct melting anomalies (or “hotspots”) well before the onset of postulated intraplate oblique extension. The kinematic pattern produces the observed range of dates due to overlap of the resulting traces. The oblique extension mechanism may have enhanced volcanism, but it cannot be the sole explanation.