Magma is created in different ways through melting inside Earth's interior. What type of melting occurs when volatiles are added?
Question
Magma is created in different ways through melting inside Earth's interior. What type of melting occurs when volatiles are added?
Solution
The type of melting that occurs when volatiles are added to rocks in the Earth's interior is called flux melting. This process involves the introduction of substances such as water and carbon dioxide (the volatiles) into the rock. These substances lower the melting point of the surrounding rocks, facilitating the melting process even at lower temperatures.
Flux melting is particularly significant at subduction zones, where oceanic plates descend into the mantle and carry water and other volatiles with them. The addition of these volatiles causes partial melting of the surrounding mantle material, leading to the formation of magma, which can eventually rise to the surface, resulting in volcanic activity.
This mechanism is crucial in generating magma in tectonically active regions and plays a key role in the geology of Earth's crust.
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