Transform marsginal plateaus

Abstract Numerous submarine plateausform highstanding bathymetric highs at continent to ocean transitions. Due to their proximity to continents, they have been frequently labelled “marginal plateaus”, although this term has not been clearly defined or associated with a specific geology or geodynamicprocess. Until now, these elevations have been interpreted as submerged thinned continental fragmentsdetached from continents, basaltic buildups formed by hotspots, volcanic margins or oceanic plateaus. Many of these plateausformed at transform margins connecting oceanic basinsof contrasted ages. We propose for the first time to define and review a class of marginal plateausrelated to a specific tectonic setting: “Transform Marginal Plateaus” (TMPs). Based on a compilation of 20 TMPs around the world, we show that most of them have a polyphased history and have undergone at least one major volcanic phase. Our review highlights in particular a hitherto unrecognized close link between hotspots, volcanic activity and transform margins. We also propose that, due to their polyphased history, TMPs may contain several successive basins and overlooked long-lived sedimentary archives. We finally highlight that, because these TMPs were transform plate boundaries perpendicular or oblique to surrounding rifts, many of them were close to last-contact points during final continental breakup and may have formed land bridgesor bathymetric highs between continents. Therefore, we discuss broader scientific issues, such as the interest of TMPs in recording and studying the onset and variations of oceanic currentsor past biodiversity growth, bio-connectivity and lineage evolution.