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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Recent Examples of subduction from the Web
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These volcanoes sit on the western edge of the Caribbean tectonic plate, along an active subduction zone.
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The region is the location of most of Earth's subduction zones, where oceanic plates slide under the lighter continental plates.
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In subduction, one large section of the earth — a plate — slides slowly under another, as the earth’s surface recycles itself over geologic time.
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The region is the location of most of Earth's subduction zones, where oceanic plates slide under the lighter continental plates.
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The Mariana Trench, the deepest point in the world, occurs in a subduction zone.
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Oregon sits about 70 miles from the Cascadia subduction zone, an offshore fault line that's overdue for a big quake.
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The region is the location of most of Earth's subduction zones, where oceanic plates slide under the lighter continental plates.
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Essentially, Japan sits on a large subduction zone (where tectonic plates meet), and when the ocean slab slides beneath the islands of Japan, the result is an earthquake, Petersen said.
These 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.
Origin and Etymology of subduction
French, from Late Latin subduction-, subductio withdrawal, from Latin subducere to withdraw, from sub- + ducere to draw — more at 1tow
Learn More about subduction
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Nglish: Translation of subduction for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about subduction
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