subduction
noun
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Definition of subduction
: the action or process in plate tectonics of the edge of one crustal plate descending below the edge of another
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Other Words from subduction
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verb
Examples of subduction in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In subduction zones, or the area where two tectonic plates collide, GPS measurements have shown that fault lines can move without causing seismic activity. — Matt Blitz, Popular Mechanics, "How GPS Changed the Way We Think About Our Planet," 18 Apr. 2017 At plate boundaries in the ocean, subduction moves water into the mantle, lowering the melting point of rock underneath the edges of continental plates. — Umair Irfan, Vox, "Volcanoes are awe-inspiring. Here are 7 things to know about them.," 11 May 2018 These volcanoes sit on the western edge of the Caribbean tectonic plate, along an active subduction zone. — Laura Geggel, Scientific American, "Lava and Ash from Fuego Volcano Kills 33 in Guatemala," 4 June 2018 The region is the location of most of Earth's subduction zones, where oceanic plates slide under the lighter continental plates. — Travis Fedschun, Fox News, "California fault line is 'tectonic time bomb' for disastrous earthquake, researchers say," 22 Apr. 2018 In subduction, one large section of the earth — a plate — slides slowly under another, as the earth’s surface recycles itself over geologic time. — Henry Fountain, New York Times, "For Tsunami Forecasters, Speed Is Everything," 23 Jan. 2018 The region is the location of most of Earth's subduction zones, where oceanic plates slide under the lighter continental plates. — Travis Fedschun, Fox News, "California fault line is 'tectonic time bomb' for disastrous earthquake, researchers say," 22 Apr. 2018 The Mariana Trench, the deepest point in the world, occurs in a subduction zone. — Umair Irfan, Vox, "Volcanoes are awe-inspiring. Here are 7 things to know about them.," 11 May 2018 Oregon sits about 70 miles from the Cascadia subduction zone, an offshore fault line that's overdue for a big quake. — Elliot Njus, OregonLive.com, "Easing earthquake mandate for old brick buildings might just delay inevitable, experts say," 9 May 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'subduction.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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