All of the following processes aid the lithosphere in becoming denser than the asthenosphere except
A) cooling and contracting.
B) forming by decompression melting.
C) thickening by addition to the base.
D) metamorphosing into eclogite.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Decompression melting is a process that produces magma from asthenosphere material, which then solidifies to form new lithosphere. This does not contribute to the lithosphere becoming denser than the asthenosphere. The other three processes listed (cooling and contracting, thickening by addition to the base, and metamorphosing into eclogite) involve changes to existing lithosphere that can result in an increase in density relative to the asthenosphere.

All of the Following Processes Aid the Lithosphere in Becoming