Nature Geoscience, Published online: 01 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41561-026-02026-w

Two independent studies imply that a remarkable burst of voluminous volcanism on the Pacific plate during the Cretaceous is attributable to coupled plate–mantle dynamics. Together, their findings show how enhanced subduction, mantle heterogeneity, and plate tectonic boundaries collectively controlled the timing and expression of these oceanic large igneous provinces.