SUBDUCTION

Abstract

Subduction is a lithospheric process which occurs at convergent plate boundaries. One plate underthrusts another and sinks into the Earth mantle. The subduction mainly involves a subducting oceanic plate, but sometimes, a continental plate enters into the subduction zone. In this last case, a collisional chain develops. This process generates a high level of seismicity as the rocks deform in the vicinity of the plate boundary. All mega-earthquakes occur in subduction zones. Oceanic subduction creates favorable conditions for arc magmatism.