Seismic imaging of the upper mantle under the Erebus hotspot in Antarctica

P-wave velocity images are determined under the Mount Erebus volcano, Antarctica by using teleseismic tomography. Our results show a prominent low-velocity (low-V) anomaly of nearly circular symmetry (about 250–300 km in diameter) to about 200 km depth under the Mount Erebus volcanic region, which further extends down to ~ 400 km as a narrow tilted column. The observed low-V anomaly beneath the Mount Erebus volcano can be expression of a thermal anomaly of deep origin. Combining the seismically imaged thermal anomaly with geochemical observation of rift-related volcanism in the region, we consider that the Mount Erebus is a hotspot due to West Antarctic Rift System linked with a mantle plume. In addition, high-velocity anomalies are imaged beneath the East Antarctic craton, being consistent with the previous studies.