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

A)Decompression melting from pressure decrease
B)Radiation heating from mantle upwelling
C)Conductive cooling enhancing viscosity increasing
D)Shear thickening via frictional solidification

💡 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.

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