Where is a subduction zone located?

A subduction zone is specifically defined as the location where one lithospheric plate is being forced down into the mantle beneath another plate. This process occurs at convergent plate boundaries, where two plates collide, and typically involves an oceanic plate being subducted beneath either another oceanic plate or a continental plate.

At these zones, intense geological activity occurs, including earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, as the subducted plate melts and interacts with the surrounding mantle material. This dynamic process contributes to the formation of mountain ranges, deep ocean trenches, and volcanic arcs, highlighting the significance of subduction zones in the Earth's geology and tectonics.

Understanding the nature of subduction zones is essential for grasping the broader concepts of plate tectonics, as they are crucial regions of interaction that shape the Earth's surface over time.