subduction
n. uncountablen. the process where one part of the Earth's crust moves under another part and sinks into the planet. This often happens when two tectonic plates meet.
n. the geological process by which one tectonic plate moves under another and is forced into the mantle. In mathematics, it refers to the operation of subtracting one number from another.
The earthquake was caused by the subduction of the oceanic plate.
Geologists study subduction zones to better understand how the Earth's crust changes over millions of years.
The intense pressure generated by the subduction of the denser oceanic plate eventually leads to the melting of the mantle, resulting in volcanic activity along the continental margin.
From Latin subductiō, from subdūcere (“to draw from under or below”). Equivalent to subduct + -ion or subduce + -tion.