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High heat flow from rocks near a plate boundary characterizes which type of boundary?

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Final answer:

High heat flow from rocks near a plate boundary is typically characteristic of a convergent boundary, where subduction of one plate leads to magma generation and is often associated with deep earthquakes and volcanoes.

Step-by-step explanation:

High heat flow from rocks near a plate boundary characterizes a convergent boundary, where one of the tectonic plates subducts below the other. This process involves the descent of a denser, often oceanic crust into the mantle beneath an overriding plate. As the subducting plate descends, hydrated minerals within it become unstable and release water. This lowers the melting temperature of the overlying mantle, leading to magma generation (as indicated by arrow "d" in related figures).

Notably, convergent boundaries are known for a range of earthquake depths—from shallow to deep—and numerous volcanoes due to the subduction process. Linear and curved mountain belts are also a typical product of these boundaries. In contrast, divergent boundaries are associated with plates moving apart, leading to decompression melting, resulting in shallow earthquakes and some volcanic activity. Transform boundaries are characterized by shallow earthquakes and no volcanoes.

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