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Is the main mechanism for melting decompression melting of ultramafic mantle rock?
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Why would decompression of mantle peridotite cause the production of mafic magma?
Melting points vary with pressure. In nearly all substances the melting point increases with increasing pressure. The peridotite in the mantle is extremely hot and under immense pressure. When it is decompressed some melting occurs. The composition is not uniform and some minerals have lower melting points than others. The mafic minerals will be able to melt while the ultramafic mineralls generally will not.
Is melting of the mantle achieved by decreasing pressure at divergent plate boundaries?
Yes. Decompression melting occurs at divergent plate boundaries as pressure on the mantle material decreases due to the withdrawal of oceanic crust at spreading centers.
What is the primary process involved in the formation of magma at a rift?
Decompression melting of extremely hot mantle rock as it rises toward the surface.
Below earths crust is a layer called the mantle which material will most likely be found in the mantle?
Ultramafic igneous rock.
What observation has been about the age of the basalt that forms a mid ocean ridge?
New magma of basalt composition emerges at and near the axis because of decompression melting in the underlying Earth's mantle.
Why would decompression of mantle peridotite cause the production of mafic magma?
Melting points vary with pressure. In nearly all substances the melting point increases with increasing pressure. The peridotite in the mantle is extremely hot and under immense pressure. When it is decompressed some melting occurs. The composition is not uniform and some minerals have lower melting points than others. The mafic minerals will be able to melt while the ultramafic mineralls generally will not.
Does the mantle have mafic or felsic in it?
The mantle is ultramafic.
When solid mantle rock rises during seafloor spreading magma is produced as a result of decompression melting?
Yes.
Composition of the mantle?
The mantle is made of ultramafic igneous rock.
Is melting of the mantle achieved by decreasing pressure at divergent plate boundaries?
Yes. Decompression melting occurs at divergent plate boundaries as pressure on the mantle material decreases due to the withdrawal of oceanic crust at spreading centers.
Does the mantle have granite?
No; granite is a felsic rock formed by either melting of contintal crust or extreme differentiation of more mafic magmas. The mantle is predominantly made up of an ultramafic rock known as peridotite.
A majority of the melts in the Earth form through the partial melting of ultramafic mantle rock These newly-formed magmas are?
Newly formed magmas are usually mafic.
What is the primary process involved in the formation of magma at a rift?
Decompression melting of extremely hot mantle rock as it rises toward the surface.
WHAT ARE Mantle rocks classified as?
Mantle rock is classified as ultramafic igneous rock.
Is the following sentence true or false when solid mantle rock rises during seafloor spreading magma is produced as a result of decompression melting?
true
What cause inside the earth to melt?
Heat. Molten rock can be formed from the subduction and melting of cold, dense, wet oceanic crust at some convergent plate margins. The moisture in the rock assists in the melting of the crust and the rock surrounding it. Magma is also formed at hot spots in the mantle where hot material undergoes decompression melting as it rises. Decompression melting also occurs at the mid-ocean ridges where new oceanic crust is formed from rising mantle rock.
How does magma form?
Magma can be formed from the subduction and melting of cold, dense, wet oceanic crust at some convergent plate margins. The moisture in the rock assists in the melting of the crust and the rock surrounding it. Magma is also formed at hot spots in the mantle where hot material undergoes decompression melting as it rises. Decompression melting also occurs at the mid-ocean ridges where new oceanic crust is formed from rising mantle rock.
