An animated visual showing the release of water from subducted minerals at depth, leading to magma formation and volcanic eruption.
Learn MotionWhy Oceans Don't Drain Into the Ground
Tectonic Subduction and Deep Water Cycling
The Return Journey: Volcanism
4 / 5
As the plate goes deeper, extreme heat and pressure cause the hydrated minerals to break down. This releases the trapped water into the surrounding mantle rock. This water acts like a flux, lowering the melting point of the mantle and creating magma. This magma rises to the surface, forming volcanoes. The water that went down is now returning to the atmosphere as steam, completing the cycle.
0:00 / 0:00