Deep below the Earth's surface, subduction causes partial melting of both the ocean crust and mantle as they slide past one another. This melting generates magma that makes its way to the surface ...

The formation of igneous rocks occurs when magma (molten rock) cools and crystallizes, whether on the surface of the Earth or deep within the crust. Magma forms underground at temperatures of up to ...

Where continents rift apart, new crust is formed from upwelling magma. Eventually, a new ocean basin forms. In this web focus we present opinion pieces, along with research and overview articles ...