What occurs during the geological process of subduction?

During the geological process of subduction, one tectonic plate is forced beneath another, leading to a collision of the plates. This phenomenon typically occurs at convergent plate boundaries where an oceanic plate meets a continental plate or another oceanic plate. The denser oceanic plate is usually subducted beneath the lighter shelf or continental plate, resulting in the formation of deep ocean trenches, volcanic arcs, and significant geological activity such as earthquakes.

The process of subduction is a fundamental mechanism of the Earth's lithospheric dynamics, driving the recycling of crustal materials back into the mantle. The intense pressure and heat at the subduction zone contribute to the melting of the subducted plate, which can lead to volcanic eruptions as the magma rises to the surface.

This explanation underscores the definition of subduction and its associated geological features, clarifying how it contrasts with other geological processes, such as the separation of tectonic plates or changes in surface elevation without vertical movement, which are not characteristics of subduction.