#3. Subducting plates at converging plate boundaries contain water within existi
ID: 299238 • Letter: #
Question
#3. Subducting plates at converging plate boundaries contain water within existing surface rock and sediments, which are carried into the mantle. The water helps the rock melt at a lower temperature. The melted rock is less dense, and works its way upward toward the surface. On the accompanying world map of tectonic plates, converging plates are already indicated by toothed lines. The points indicate the direction of plate subduction. Subduction volcanoes form on the adjacent plate (the plate that is not subducting).
Explanation / Answer
The presence of water makes the rock wet and thus it melt before reachng its original melting point. It also provide upthrust force as water saturated rock becomes more voletile for that particular depth conditions. Thus it further melts the nearest upper rock and thus it ejected out from the continental margin.
Related Questions
Navigate
Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.