subduction zone
Tectonic diving region
A subduction zone is a region where one tectonic plate slides beneath another, descending into the Earth's mantle.
These zones occur at convergent plate boundaries, typically where oceanic crust meets continental crust.
Subduction zones produce deep ocean trenches, volcanic mountain chains, and the world's most powerful earthquakes: The Pacific Ring of Fire contains numerous subduction zones.
Long narrow excavation
- oceanic crustBasaltic layer beneath seas
- continental crustGranitic lithosphere under landmasses
- lithosphereCrust plus upper mantle
- asthenosphereDuctile upper mantle layer
Where Earth's sections meet
- plate tectonicsEarth's crust mobility theory
- tectonic platesMobile crustal sections
- continental driftGradual landmass repositioning
- orogenyGeological mountain formation
isostasy · geodynamics · collision · compression · faulting · uplift · mountain building · Andes
Seismic ground movement
- tremorInvoluntary rhythmic shaking
- aftershockSmaller quake following larger
- seismographEarthquake measuring device
- magnitudeSize or scale
epicenter · seismic · intensity · megathrust · rupture · seismicity
Curved line of volcanoes
- ring of firePacific seismic belt
- stratovolcanoLayered cone-shaped volcanic mountain
- andesiteIntermediate volcanic rock
- magmaMolten rock underground
eruption · caldera · lava · pyroclastic flow · Mount St. Helens · explosive eruption
Seismic sea surge
- liquefactionConversion to liquid state
- disasterSudden ruinous event
- evacuationRemoval from danger
- coastal floodingSeawater overtaking shore areas
ground shaking · landslide · volcanic eruption · early warning system · preparedness · Sumatra · Chile · Pacific Northwest
trench
Long narrow excavation
- oceanic crustBasaltic layer beneath seas
- continental crustGranitic lithosphere under landmasses
- lithosphereCrust plus upper mantle
plate boundary
Where Earth's sections meet
- plate tectonicsEarth's crust mobility theory
- tectonic platesMobile crustal sections
- continental driftGradual landmass repositioning
orogeny · isostasy · geodynamics · collision · compression · faulting · uplift · mountain building · Andes · Cascadia
earthquake
Seismic ground movement
- tremorInvoluntary rhythmic shaking
- aftershockSmaller quake following larger
- seismographEarthquake measuring device
magnitude · epicenter · seismic · intensity · megathrust · rupture · seismicity
volcanic arc
Curved line of volcanoes
- ring of firePacific seismic belt
- stratovolcanoLayered cone-shaped volcanic mountain
- andesiteIntermediate volcanic rock
magma · eruption · caldera · lava · pyroclastic flow · Mount St. Helens · explosive eruption
tsunami
Seismic sea surge
- liquefactionConversion to liquid state
- disasterSudden ruinous event
- evacuationRemoval from danger
coastal flooding · ground shaking · landslide · volcanic eruption · early warning system · preparedness · Sumatra · Chile · Pacific Northwest
- earthquakesearthquake, quake, earthquakes, quakes, epicenter
- geologybedrock, fault lines, faults, rock, basalt
- Geology Diagramsrock cycle, plate tectonics, cross section, geologic map, rock strata
- ocean geologyseafloor, seabed, ocean basins, ocean floor, ocean basin
- tectonicsplate tectonics, tectonic plates, tectonic plate, plate boundaries, plates
- plate boundarydivergent, convergent, transform, mid-ocean ridge