subduction

American  

[suhb-duhk-shuhn] / səbˈdʌk ʃən /

noun

1. an act or instance of subducting; subtraction or withdrawal.

2. Geology. the process by which collision of the earth's crustal plates results in one plate's being drawn down or overridden by another, localized along the juncture subduction zone of two plates.

---

subduction British  

/ səbˈdʌkʃən /

noun

1. the act of subducting, esp of turning the eye downwards

2. geology the process of one tectonic plate sliding under another, resulting in tensions and faulting in the earth's crust, with earthquakes and volcanic eruptions

---

subduction Scientific  

/ səb-dŭk′shən /

1. A geologic process in which one edge of one lithospheric plate is forced below the edge of another. The denser of the two plates sinks beneath the other. As it descends, the plate often generates seismic and volcanic activity (from melting and upward migration of magma) in the overriding plate.

2. Compare obduction

---

Etymology

Origin of subduction

1570–80; < Latin subductiōn-, stem of subductiō pulling up, computation; see subduct, -ion

---

Explanation

In geology, subduction is what happens when one tectonic plate moves underneath another. Most strong earthquakes are caused by subduction. Subduction causes the most powerful earthquakes, and over time it's also what creates volcanoes and mountains. When you study geology or earth science, you'll learn about areas of the earth called "subduction zones," regions where subduction is occurring and earthquakes are relatively common. Before 1970, the word was used to mean "removal of noxious substances from the body."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

subduction

Dr. Jan Schönig at Göttingen University's Geoscience Center explains: "Finding this change from hot to cold subduction was unexpected as this contradicts our current thermal models of subduction zones."

From Science Daily ● Oct. 22, 2026

A recent study suggests that the Cascadia subduction zone and the San Andreas fault can become synchronized, with a major earthquake on one fault potentially followed by seismic activity on the other.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 24, 2026

Cape Mendocino is particularly important because it lies near the region where the northern San Andreas system and the Cascadia subduction zone converge.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 24, 2026

At subduction zones, one tectonic plate sinks beneath another, carrying water from the oceans down toward the mantle.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 13, 2026

Just off its east coast, deep beneath the seafloor, giant chunks of Earth’s lithosphere and crust are being sucked beneath the country in a process called subduction.

From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---