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  • Melting Points of Rocks: Understanding Temperature Ranges
    Rocks don't melt at a single temperature. Instead, they have a melting range, which depends on several factors:

    * Composition: Different minerals have different melting points. For example, quartz melts at 1610°C (2930°F), while olivine melts at 1890°C (3434°F).

    * Pressure: Higher pressure increases the melting point of rocks. This is why rocks deep within the Earth melt at higher temperatures than rocks at the surface.

    * Water content: The presence of water lowers the melting point of rocks. This is why volcanoes often erupt in areas with high water content.

    Generally speaking, the melting range for rocks is between 700°C (1292°F) and 1300°C (2372°F). However, as mentioned above, this can vary greatly depending on the specific factors mentioned.

    Here's a breakdown of the melting points for some common rock-forming minerals:

    * Quartz: 1610°C (2930°F)

    * Olivine: 1890°C (3434°F)

    * Feldspar: 1100°C to 1500°C (2012°F to 2732°F)

    * Pyroxene: 1100°C to 1300°C (2012°F to 2372°F)

    * Amphibole: 900°C to 1100°C (1652°F to 2012°F)

    It's important to remember that these are just rough estimates. The actual melting point of a rock will depend on its specific composition, pressure, and water content.

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