Which process drives the formation of island arcs at subduction zones experiencing volatile flux?

💡 Explanation

When a subducting plate descends and experiences volatile flux, hydration-induced mantle melting occurs because water lowers the mantle's melting point, causing partial melting and magma formation. Therefore island arcs are formed due to hydration, rather than decompression, crystallization, or isostatic rebounds which occur through separate mechanisms.

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