What is happening in the mantle beneath a subduction zone?
A) Hot mantle rock is rising, pulling down a cold ocean slab.
B) Cool mantle rock is rising, pulling down a warmer ocean slab.
C) The mantle is molten and the subducting slab sinks into it.
D) Relatively cool mantle rock is sinking, pulling down on a cold ocean slab.
E) Hot mantle rock is sinking, pulling down on a warm ocean slab.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Relatively cool mantle rock is sinking beneath a subduction zone, which is pulling down on a cold oceanic slab. This sinking of the mantle rock is what drives the motion of the tectonic plates and causes subduction to occur. As the oceanic slab descends into the mantle, it heats up and begins to release water and other volatiles, which can cause melting and the formation of magma that rises to the Earth's surface as volcanic activity.

What Is Happening in the Mantle Beneath a Subduction Zone