​PIMENTEL, A., RAMALHO, R.S., BECERRIL, L., LARREA, P., BROWN, R.J. (2020) - Editorial: Ocean Island Volcanoes: Genesis, Evolution and Impact. Frontiers in Earth Science, 8:82, doi: 10.3389/feart.2020.00082.

​Ocean island volcanoes are exceptional geological features that rise from the seafloor. They are small windows in the vast oceans that allow an indirect look into the otherwise inaccessible Earth's interior. The genesis of ocean island volcanoes is intrinsically related to their geodynamic setting and magma-supply rate over time (Menard and Ladd, 1963). However, ocean island magmatism cannot be explained within the framework of plate tectonics without the presence of mantle melting anomalies. How ocean island magmas are generated, evolve, and erupt are key questions for petrology and volcanology. The geological evolution of ocean island volcanoes is governed by multiple internal and external factors. A better knowledge of the interplay between growth and decay processes is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of the evolution of such volcanoes (Ramalho et al., 2013). On account of their typically isolated location and small area, ocean islands are especially vulnerable to geological hazards. Volcanic eruptions, in particular, may have devastating consequences on local communities, but also impact global economy and climate (Wilson et al., 2014). It is therefore crucial to increase our knowledge on these volcanoes to respond to the challenge of forecasting future eruptions and their short- to long-term impacts. This Research Topic covers different subjects related to ocean island volcanoes within the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. This collection of articles offers probe of some of the critical questions and possible answers in our stepwise understanding of ocean island volcanoes, and they highlight the uniqueness and complexity of these geological features. We anticipate this Research Topic to be a valuable reference for future research on ocean island volcanoes and will stimulate thinking on some key problems related to their genesis, growth and hazards.​