What Is Magma?
8. Flux Melting
This process of magma formation occurs where there is sufficient presence of water or carbon dioxide deep in the earth to lower the melting temperature of the rock. With a lower melting temperature, rock can begin to partially melt and begin forming magma.
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This process takes place in subduction zones on the ocean floor, where plates are headed downward. At these points, water may penetrate into the mantle, causing its melting temperature to lower and cause partial melts. Once these partial melts rise to the surface, it then forms igneous and volcanic rocks. This commonly occurs with basaltic magma, hence the abundance of such rocks on ocean floors.
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