A number of explanations have been forwarded to explain the existence of this ridge, from hotspots fed by a mantle plume over the presence of enriched mantle to the activity of the triple junction between Africa, North America, and South America. A hotspot origin is considered to be the most likely explanation; according to this theory a mantle plume built Researcher Ridge until the hotspot was captured by the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. A well-known section of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge that has erupted enriched rocks lies between 14 and 15 degrees North and also features the Logatchev hydrothermal field.