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← GeographyWhich process exacerbates mantle wedge melting in subduction zones?
A)Dehydration of the subducting slab✓
B)Conductive heat transfer from asthenosphere
C)Increased lithostatic pressure in the wedge
D)Radiative heat gain from solar insolation
💡 Explanation
When a subducting slab descends, the progressive increase in pressure causes dehydration metamorphism because hydrous minerals release water into the mantle wedge, decreasing the wedge's melting point and promoting partial melting . Therefore dehydration is the main trigger, instead of conductive heat, pressure increase, or radiative heating which have minor localised effects.
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