Which mechanism causes island arc formation when oceanic lithosphere subducts beneath other oceanic lithosphere?

💡 Explanation

When oceanic lithosphere subducts, decompression melting occurs because of reduced pressure on the upwelling mantle wedge, which generates magma that rises and forms volcanic island arcs. Therefore decompression melting results, rather than radiation, conduction or shear thickening which require different thermal processes or material behaviors.

• Which process dictates glacial lake outburst floods depositing poorly-sorted material downstream in many mountainous regions?
• Which effect on stream drainage patterns is caused by strike-slip offset along a transform fault?
• Which risk increases on gentle slopes underlain by permafrost undergoing active solifluction?
• Which mechanism leads to a tarn formation within a glacial cirque after deglaciation?
• Which outcome occurs when 'regelation' inhibits ice flow within a cirque?
• Which process determines shape when freeze-thaw weakens bedrock walls above a glacial cirque?