Yellowstone's power source debated by scientists

A new scientific paper proposes that the Yellowstone hotspot's volcanic activity is driven by historical geological stresses rather than a traditional mantle plume. The theory suggests that the remnants of the vanished Farallon tectonic plate created pathways for molten rock to reach the surface. This contrasts with the common explanation of a stationary mantle plume heating the crust from below. Researchers developed a complex model incorporating geological data and historical plate movements to support this alternative hypothesis, explaining unique features of the Yellowstone region's volcanic history.