What is a subduction zone?
Quick Answer
A subduction zone is where one tectonic plate is forced beneath another and sinks into the mantle. These zones are major sources of earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis.
The Full Story
Subduction happens when two plates collide and the denser oceanic plate bends downward under the other plate. As the descending plate heats up and releases water, it helps generate magma that can feed volcanic arcs like those in Japan and the Andes. The friction and sudden slipping along these boundaries can produce some of the strongest earthquakes on Earth, including megathrust events. Subduction zones are also the settings for deep ocean trenches such as the Peru-Chile Trench and the Japan Trench.
Key Facts
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Suggested video title for this topic:
"The underground collision zone that powers giant quakes"
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