GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -A subduction zone is a region in which a portion of a tectonic plate sinks beneath another plate into the Earth’s interior. Subduction zones are defined by deep oceanic trenches, lines of volcanoes parallel to the trenches, and zones of large earthquakes that extend from the trenches landward.

Detailed explanation-2: -Subduction zones are where the cold oceanic lithosphere sinks back into the mantle and is recycled. They are found at convergent plate boundaries, where the oceanic lithosphere of one plate converges with the less dense lithosphere of another plate.

Detailed explanation-3: -The primary subduction zone we study is the Cascadia Subduction Zone, where the Juan de Fuca Plate is sliding beneath the North American Plate. That subduction zone is largely responsible for the Cascade Volcanic Range, as well as significant earthquake and tsunami hazard for the Pacific Northwest.

Detailed explanation-4: -Where do subduction zones typically occur? Subduction zones occur in a horseshoe shape around the edge of the Pacific Ocean, offshore of Washington state, Canada, Alaska, Russia, Japan and Indonesia and down to New Zealand and the southern edge of South America, according to NOAA (opens in new tab).