[suh
b-duhk-shuhn] 
| 1. | an act or instance of subducting; subtraction or withdrawal. |
| 2. | Geology. the process by which collision of the earth's crustal plates results in one plate's being drawn down or overridden by another, localized along the juncture (subduction zone) of two plates. |
| sub·duc·tion (səb-dŭk'shən) n. A geologic process in which one edge of one crustal plate is forced below the edge of another. [French, from Latin subductus, past participle of subdūcere, to draw away from below : sub-, sub- + dūcere, to lead; see deuk- in Indo-European roots.] sub·duct' v., sub·duc'tal (-təl) adj. |
| subduction (səb-dŭk'shən) Pronunciation Key
A geologic process in which one edge of one lithospheric plate is forced below the edge of another. The denser of the two plates sinks beneath the other. As it descends, the plate often generates seismic and volcanic activity (from melting and upward migration of magma) in the overriding plate. Compare obduction. subduct verb |