WadatiBenioffzónában

A WadatiBenioffzóna, often referred to as a Benioff Zone, is a planar zone of shallow, intermediate, and deep earthquake activity that occurs in relation to a convergent plate boundary. This phenomenon is a direct consequence of subduction, where one tectonic plate slides beneath another and sinks into the Earth's mantle. As the subducting plate descends, it generates friction and stress, leading to the release of seismic energy in the form of earthquakes.

The WadatiBenioff Zone is characterized by a dipping arrangement of these earthquakes. The shallowest earthquakes occur near the trench where the subduction begins, and as the plate continues to descend, the earthquakes become progressively deeper. This creates a distinct, often curved, plane that extends hundreds of kilometers into the mantle. The angle and depth to which the WadatiBenioff Zone extends can provide valuable information about the dynamics of the subducting plate and the mantle.

The identification and mapping of WadatiBenioff Zones are crucial for understanding plate tectonics and seismic hazard assessment. Seismic networks around the world precisely locate earthquake hypocenters, and the clustering of these hypocenters along a dipping plane clearly delineates the WadatiBenioff Zone. These zones are typically associated with volcanic arcs on the overriding plate, as the descending slab releases water into the overlying mantle wedge, lowering its melting point and triggering magma formation.