Magma Flashcards
What is magma?
A hot solution of silicate liquids, crystals, and gases
Where does basaltic magma typically originate?
From partial melting of mantle peridotite
What is the main difference between intrusive and extrusive igneous rocks?
Whether they cool below or at the surface
What causes decompression melting?
Decrease in pressure as mantle rises
What process lowers the melting point of peridotite at subduction zones?
Addition of water
What does fractional crystallization do to magma?
Changes its composition by removing minerals
What is Bowen’s Reaction Series?
A sequence in which minerals crystallize from magma
What is magma mixing?
When different magmas combine to form a new composition
What does assimilation refer to in magma evolution?
Incorporation of surrounding rock into magma
What is one major effect of magma differentiation?
Increase in water and gas content, leading to explosive eruptions
