Where Does Decompression Melting Take Place?

Decompression melting often occurs at divergent boundaries, where tectonic plates separate. The rifting movement causes the buoyant magma below to rise and fill the space of lower pressure. The rock then cools into new crust.

Why does decompression melting occur at mid-ocean ridges?

Decompression. Decompression melting occurs at mid-ocean ridges. ... As long as this hot rock rises faster than the temperature can cool off, the rock can melt because the pressure is decreasing as the rock gets closer to the surface.

Does decompression melting occur at subduction zones?

As hot, low-viscosity asthenosphere upwells into the corner, melting is triggered by decompression. The amount of decompression melting generated at the arc depends somewhat on the subduction rate, with greater subduction rates generating larger amounts of melting.