Landforms & Features of Destructive Subduction Boundaries

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  • Created by: Max Oscar
  • Created on: 12-04-22 15:23

Subduction zone

Subduction = when oceanic plate is pushed down into the mantle below the continental plate because the oceanic plate is dense and thin

In the place where this pushing down happens is called a subduction zone and the descending crust is called a slab. The slab descends at angle of between 30° and 70°

As the slab descends it melts

As the slab keeps moving down it rubs against the continental plate & this rubbing builds up seismic energy which is released to form earthquakes. Where this happens is called a Benioff Zone.

Oceanic Trench

Ocean Trench = long narrow depression like a huge Valley on the Ocean Floor

Trenches can be very deep (up to 11000m)

Example: Mariana Trench which is 11034m deep

Trenches are formed by tectonic plates moving towards each other

Volcanoes

The oceanic plate subducts downwards & it melts in the mantle at around 100-300 km due to the the high temperatures & pressure

The melted crust is molten rock & is less dense…

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