A mantle plume is a phenomenon that occurs beneath the Earth's crust, where a column of hot rock rises from the Earth's mantle to the surface. It is also known as a hotspot, magma plume or thermal anomaly. Other terms used to describe mantle plumes include plume root, mantle upwelling, and thermal plume. The scientific community uses these terms interchangeably when referring to this geological phenomenon. The study of mantle plumes is critical to understanding tectonic plate movements, volcanic activity, and Earth's thermal evolution over time. With ongoing research, new terms may arise to describe the origin and behavior of mantle plumes.