Author Question: What causes the volcanism at spreading ridges? What will be an ideal ... (Read 95 times)

xroflmao

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 515
What causes the volcanism at spreading ridges? What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Briefly explain how it is possible for a single magma to yield rocks of felsic, intermediate, and mafic
  composition. What will be an ideal response?




essyface1

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 347
Answer to Question 1

Beneath spreading ridges, the temperature of the mantle rock locally exceeds the melting temperature,
at least in part because the pressure decreases as the plates separate at the ridge. Water is also present
in the mantle rock, which decreases the melting temperature beneath the spreading ridge since water
works with heat to break down the chemical bonds in minerals.



Answer to Question 2

There are three ways for a magma to yield rocks of vastly different composition. With crystal settling,
the first crystals to form, the ferromagnesian minerals, settle to the bottom of the magma chamber,
where they can cool to form a mafic rock. The remaining liquid is more intermediate and, if the
process continues, more felsic than the original magma. At any point, these liquids can cool to become
an intermediate or felsic rock. Assimilation adds the country rock to a magma. If a magma is mafic, it
can melt more felsic rock and change its composition from mafic to intermediate to felsic. Magma
mixing can combine magmas of different composition. If a mafic magma and a felsic magma mix,
they will create a magma of intermediate composition. These three magmas can lead to three different
rock types.




Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question
 

Did you know?

The first-known contraceptive was crocodile dung, used in Egypt in 2000 BC. Condoms were also reportedly used, made of animal bladders or intestines.

Did you know?

The U.S. Pharmacopeia Medication Errors Reporting Program states that approximately 50% of all medication errors involve insulin.

Did you know?

The Romans did not use numerals to indicate fractions but instead used words to indicate parts of a whole.

Did you know?

The toxic levels for lithium carbonate are close to the therapeutic levels. Signs of toxicity include fine hand tremor, polyuria, mild thirst, nausea, general discomfort, diarrhea, vomiting, drowsiness, muscular weakness, lack of coordination, ataxia, giddiness, tinnitus, and blurred vision.

Did you know?

The senior population grows every year. Seniors older than 65 years of age now comprise more than 13% of the total population. However, women outlive men. In the 85-and-over age group, there are only 45 men to every 100 women.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library