Manihiki Plateau

Manihiki Plateau
Stratigraphic range: Cretaceous
TypeIgneous
Area770,000 km2 (300,000 sq mi)
Lithology
PrimaryBasalt
Location
Coordinates10°00′S 162°30′W / 10°S 162.5°W / -10; -162.5
RegionSouth Pacific Ocean
CountryCook Islands
Type section
Named forManihiki atoll
Manihiki Plateau
Location of the Manihiki Plateau in the Pacific Ocean

The Manihiki Plateau is an oceanic plateau in the south-west Pacific Ocean. The Manihiki Plateau was formed by volcanic activity 126 to 116 million years ago during the mid-Cretaceous period at a triple junction plate boundary called the Tongareva triple junction. Initially at 125 million years ago the Manihiki Plateau formed part of the giant Ontong Java-Manihiki-Hikurangi plateau.