Subduktiovyöhykkeitä

Subduktiovyöhykkeitä, known in English as subduction zones, are geological areas where one tectonic plate slides beneath another and into the Earth's mantle. This process occurs at convergent plate boundaries. As the denser plate sinks, it can trigger a variety of geological phenomena, including earthquakes and volcanic activity.

The downward movement of the subducting plate causes friction, which can build up stress and release energy in the form of seismic waves, leading to earthquakes. The depth and magnitude of these earthquakes are often related to the angle and speed of the subduction.

As the subducting plate descends deeper into the mantle, it heats up and releases water. This water lowers the melting point of the overlying mantle wedge, causing it to melt and form magma. This magma rises to the surface, leading to the formation of volcanic arcs, which are chains of volcanoes parallel to the subduction zone. The Mariana Trench, the deepest part of the world's oceans, is an example of a feature associated with a subduction zone. Similarly, the Andes Mountains are a result of oceanic crust subducting beneath continental crust. Subduction zones are crucial in driving plate tectonics and shaping the Earth's surface over geological timescales.