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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The margins of the Pacific are where the tectonic process known as subduction is readily apparent.
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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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While a quake on that fault is less likely than a subduction zone quake, a large temblor on a fault running right through Portland could be far more deadly.
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While the subduction zone has seen some 40 major quakes over the last 10,000 years, the Portland Hills Fault is thought to have only produced two sizable seismic events over the last 15,000 years.
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The evidence in all those other locations came from ancient subduction zones.
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There is a 10% chance that in the next 30 years an earthquake between 8.0 and 9.0 in magnitude will rupture the Cascadia subduction zone that runs along the coast of Washington, Oregon and Northern California.
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Then the Pacific Ocean will close up, and more than likely when that happens new subduction zones will form, and places like the Caribbean will be a likely candidate.
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As Potenza reports, south of Alaska the Pacific plate is being shoved under the North American plate in what is known as a subduction zone.
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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