What Does subduction Mean
The term subduction has its etymological origin in the Latin word subductio , which refers to “lift” . The notion of subduction is used in geology to refer to what happens when the edge of one plate slides under the edge of another .
Before moving on, it is important to know what plates are for geology. This is how it is called the parts of the lithosphere (the outer crust of the Earth) that are semi-rigid and that float on the Earth's mantle (the layer that is located between the central core and the crust). The collision zones of these plates produce tectonic, seismic and volcanic activity .
Returning to the idea of subduction, it is about the sinking of the edge of one plate, which is located below the edge of another. This phenomenon takes place in the so-called subduction zones , most of which are distributed throughout the Pacific Ocean .
Subduction is the result of an action of two tectonic forces . The subduction angle varies according to the region and can range from 10º to 90º .
It is important to note that the displacement and contacts of the plates cause elastic potential energy to accumulate . Seismic activity is concentrated in the converging margins, with earthquakes generated by subduction being frequent in Haiti , Chile and Japan , among other nations.
In addition to earthquakes , subduction produces magma due to the partial fusion of sectors of the earth's mantle. This magma can rise and lead to large volcanic eruptions .