In contrast, at subduction zones, where one plate dives beneath another, magma generation occurs at greater depths, often between 100 and 150 kilometers. Within the upper part of the mantle, conditions are just right for rock to melt, creating the pockets and zones of magma.
Where Magma Lives In The Crust: The Depths and Zones
Tectonic Setting Typical Depth to Magma Example Location Mid-Ocean Ridge 5 – 20 km Mid-Atlantic Ridge Subduction Zone 100 – 150 km Cascadia Subduction Zone Hotspot 50 – 200 km Hawaii Continental Rift 20 – 80 km East African Rift Magma Chambers and Storage Rather than being a continuous river of molten rock, magma often accumulates in discrete pockets known as magma chambers. Directly below the lithosphere is the asthenosphere, a zone of the upper mantle that is weaker and ductile.
The Role of Heat and Pressure. It is within the asthenosphere, typically at depths between 80 and 200 kilometers, that magma is most commonly found.
Where Magma Lives In The Crust Beneath Our Feet
The crust is the thin, brittle outer layer where we live. Below the crust lies the mantle, a thick layer of solid rock that behaves in a plastic, flowing manner over long geological timescales.
More About Where is magma located
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