What are two categories of the Earth's internal heat source?
Primordial Heat & Radioactive Heat
Enumerate the three heat transfer mechanisms that redistribute the internal heat of Earth
conduction, convection, radiation
Why do rocks undergo partial melting?
Partial melting takes place because rocks are not pure materials. As temperature rises, some minerals melt and others remain solid.
Enumerate three magma formation processes
Decompression melting, heat transfer melting, flux melting
What happens after magma is formed?
Magma rises and escapes as an intrusion or extrusion.
How can density affect the flow of magma?
By density contrast. Density contrast describes how the magma is less dense than the surrounding rock.
Name three places where magma can form
Mid-ocean ridges, mantle plumes, subduction zones
A more viscous (thick) magma will produce a more violent eruption. The viscosity of magma is controlled by what factors?
Temperature, Silica content, Volatiles/dissolved water
Why is Earth considered as a thermal engine?
Earth makes some of its own heat. The process of radioactive decay which emits heat energy prevents the Earth from completely cooling off
