- Mantle wedge
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A mantle wedge is a zone of mantle, triangular in cross–section, that lies between subducting and overriding tectonic plates. Flow inside the wedge is aligned with plate motions. Flux melting of material within wedge due to the release of volatiles (water and carbon dioxide) from the underlying subducting slab results in the volcanism observed above subduction zones around the world.[1]
References
- ^ Van Keken, Peter E (2003). "The structure and dynamics of the mantle wedge". Earth and Planetary Science Letters 215 (3–4): 323–338. doi:10.1016/S0012-821X(03)00460-6. http://www.geo.lsa.umich.edu/~keken/papers/frontiers03/vanKeken_EPSL03.pdf.
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