Benioff Zone: Understanding Plate Tectonics
What is the Benioff Zone?
a) The contact zone where one slab of lithosphere subducts beneath another slab of lithosphere.
b) The contact zone where one slab of lithosphere diverges from another slab of lithosphere.
c) The contact zone where one slab of lithosphere moves adjacent to another slab of lithosphere.
d) The oceanic zone where hydrothermal vents exist.
Final answer:
The Benioff Zone is where one lithospheric plate subducts under another, causing earthquakes and volcanism, and is integral to plate tectonics.
The Benioff Zone refers to the contact zone where one slab of lithosphere subducts beneath another slab of lithosphere. This area plays a crucial role in plate tectonics, as the subduction of one plate beneath another leads to various geological activities such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
When two tectonic plates collide, the denser oceanic plate is forced beneath the lighter continental or oceanic plate. As the subducting plate descends into the mantle, it melts and creates magma that eventually rises to the surface, forming volcanic arcs. This process is responsible for the formation of deep ocean trenches and contributes to the overall movement of Earth's lithosphere.
The Benioff Zone is essential for the recycling of Earth's crust, as the subduction zones balance out the crustal creation at rift zones. This continuous cycle of subduction and volcanic activity helps maintain the equilibrium of the Earth's surface and is a key component of the plate tectonics theory.