Editing Convergent boundary (section)

== Subduction zones ==
{{Main|Subduction}}
{{see also|Forearc|Wadati–Benioff zone}}

Subduction zones are areas where one lithospheric plate slides beneath another at a convergent boundary due to lithospheric differences. These plates dip at an average of 45° but can vary. Subduction zones are often marked by an abundance of earthquakes, the result of internal deformation of the plate, convergence with the opposing plate, and bending at the oceanic trench. Earthquakes have been detected to a depth of 670&nbsp;km (416&nbsp;mi). The relatively cold and dense subducting plates are pulled into the mantle and help drive mantle convection.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Widiyantoro|first1=Sri|last2=Hilst|first2=Rob D. Van Der|last3=Grand|first3=Stephen P.|date=1997-12-01|title=Global seismic tomography: A snapshot of convection in the earth|url=https://utexas.influuent.utsystem.edu/en/publications/global-seismic-tomography-a-snapshot-of-convection-in-the-earth|journal=GSA Today|volume=7|issue=4|issn=1052-5173|access-date=2018-12-06|archive-date=2018-12-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206235011/https://utexas.influuent.utsystem.edu/en/publications/global-seismic-tomography-a-snapshot-of-convection-in-the-earth|url-status=live}}</ref>