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Why does oceanic crust melt?

Updated: 8/10/2023
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8y ago

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At mid-ocean ridges, such as the Atlantic Rise and Pacific Rise. As two plates move apart the crust is stretched and thinned, causing less pressure on the mantle immediately below. Due to this drop in pressure the mantle undergoes "decompressional melting" allowing magma to form. This magma is less dense than the surrounding mantle and rises at the mid-ocean ridges, cooling and forming new oceanic crust.

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11y ago
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10y ago

Oceanic crust will eventually turn to magma as it slides under another moving plate

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Q: Why does oceanic crust melt?
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Related questions

What happens to mantle rock descending oceanic crust scrapes past continental crust?

The mantle rock descending from the oceanic crust causes the water in oceanic crust to be released. This lowers the melting point of the rock and causes it to melt.


Does continental crust have a greater density than oceanic crust?

Yes, that is the reason oceanic crust is at a lower elevation compared to continental crust. Oceanic crust sub-ducts under the less dense continental crust. Continental crust is much older than oceanic crust, because oceanic crust is constantly being destroyed and created.


What is the name of ocean crust?

oceanic crust.


Oceanic crust is lighter than the continental crust?

No, the oceanic crust is denser. That's why the land areas "float" so much higher than the ocean bedrock.


What is oceanic-oceanic subduction?

Oceanic crust sinking under a plate with continental crust


What happens at deep ocean trenches?

At some points, the oceanic crust bends downward and forms a deep-ocean trench. Then the oceanic crust sinks back into the mantle through a process called subduction.


What does it mean if the oceanic crust 0?

the oceanic crust is 0.


Is the oceanic crust felsic or mafic?

Oceanic crust is mafic.


What crust is more dense oceanic or continental crust?

Oceanic crust is significantly denser.


Where are the youngest portion of Earth's crust found?

The youngest parts of the Earth's crust are found in the oceanic crust. This crust is continuously being created at the mid-oceanic ridges.


What layer of crust averages 25 miles in thickness?

Continental crust.


Would it be better to drill through the earths crust or the oceanic crust?

oceanic crust