Subduction

From Wikinfo

Subduction zones exist where an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate and sinks, below the latter plate, into the asthenosphere. Oceanic lithospheric plates are subducted because of their lower density. Subduction results in oceanic trenches.

See also: List of Tectonic Plate Interactions -- oceanic rift -- collusion -- obduction

References

• Adapted from the Wikipedia article, "Subduction" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subduction, used under the GNU Free Documentation License