Author Question: Magma can form up to 250 km deep in the Earth. If magma forms at such a depth, how can magma at that ... (Read 139 times)

luvbio · **on:** Jul 16, 2018

Magma can form up to 250 km deep in the Earth. If magma forms at such a depth, how can magma at that depth rise through the mantle and the crust toward the surface?

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Magma that forms batholiths forms in the mantle and must migrate upward. However, the sedimentary and metamorphic rocks that surround these batholiths are only moderately deformed.

How does a rising magma body make its way through several kilometers of solid rock to be emplaced as a batholith? (Start your journey in the mantle.)
What will be an ideal response?

mariahkathleeen · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 16, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Answer: Magma by definition is molten rock, which means that it is hot and it is liquid. These two factors mean that magma is less dense than the surrounding mantle, so it can rise.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: Magma is less dense than the surrounding rock and rises. While in the mantle, it is able to shoulder the ductile material aside. When rising through more rigid rock, a mantle can assimilate material or dislodge country rock through stoping.