Plate Tectonics Questions Medium
The process of subduction is a geological phenomenon where one tectonic plate is forced beneath another plate into the Earth's mantle. This occurs at convergent plate boundaries, where two plates collide or move towards each other. The denser oceanic plate is usually subducted beneath the less dense continental plate. As the oceanic plate descends into the mantle, it undergoes intense heat and pressure, causing it to melt and form magma. This magma can then rise to the surface through volcanic activity, creating volcanic arcs or island chains. Subduction plays a crucial role in the recycling of Earth's crust and the formation of various geological features, such as mountain ranges, deep-sea trenches, and volcanic belts.