When we are studying the layers of the Earth, we reach a point that we call Benioff plane. It is an area where there are large seismic movements at the extremes of the tectonic plates and continues along one side of an oceanic trench. This Benioff plane is of great importance in understanding the influence of certain earthquakes on the surface and their relationship with the earthquakes.
We are going to explain how important the Benioff plane is for understanding terrestrial dynamics. If you want to know more about it, this is your post.
What is the Benioff plane
The geologists Hugo Benioff and Kiyoo Wadati will only be in charge of observing the existence of this geological zone that is seismically active. That is why, in this area it is also known by the name of Wadati-Benioff. This is an area where seismic movements are active at the ends of the plates and where the Earth crust may experience significant changes.
When the subduction of the oceanic lithosphere on the continental lithosphere occurs, it occurs through a plane that cuts the surface and forms a kind of arc that is what determines the oceanic trench. The Oceanic trench It is the area where the oceanic plate subducts towards the interior of the earth to disappear from the earth's surface. On the other hand, there will be another area where a new oceanic plate emerges and soil is generated. This is how our planet creates and destroys lithosphere continuously.
Regularly, when the plate enters subduction it rubs against the other opposite plate and, therefore, certain forces are generated. earthquakesThe magnitude and intensity of an earthquake depend on the movement and the time it takes to occur. The focus of earthquakes originates in a concave arc delineated by the oceanic trench, which encompasses the entire subduction line. This zone where the plates subduct and earthquakes occur is known as the Benioff plane.
In turn, this point or also serves perfection and is where both tectonic plates converge. Along this plane the hypocentres or foci of earthquakes are located. Hypocenters are those where the greatest depth is concentrated in terms of distance from the oceanic trench. This contribution was made by the scientist Hugo Benioff, hence his name.
Characteristics of the Benioff plane
According to the mechanism that this has is flat, there are various earthquakes that can be caused in the convergence zone. We are going to analyze each type of characteristic caused by these mechanisms:
- It is in the region that is closest to the oceanic trench that seismic movements that show a distensive origin take place. These movements are due to the effect that the curve of the lithosphere has when the plate begins to subduct on the other.
- If we go to the middle region, we see that it is the part with more surface of this whole Benioff plane. This is the area where earthquakes are caused by the friction of one plate against another while it is in the process of subduction.
- It is this collision between plates during the subduction process that causes the deepest earthquakes. They can occur in depths between 300 and 700 kilometers. These are the ones that are farthest from the pit and are the result of the sudden contraction of all the subducting elements as a result of the adaptation of these elements to pressure. We remember that, As we increase the depth, so does the pressure. This pressure is the one that exerts that the elements that are introduced in the internal layers of the Earth have to adapt to the new surroundings.
The degree of inclination of the Benioff plane varies according to the area where we are. The average of all these slopes is greater than 45 degrees. It is closer to the horizontal plane.
The lithosphere
We remember that lithosphere It is the surface layer of the solid earth. Its main characteristic is that it has great rigidity. It is this that decides what can form the earth's crust and the upper mantle. The upper mantle is the outermost layer and it can be said that it floats on the asthenosphere. The zone of interaction between the earth's crust and the upper mantle is the most active due to plate tectonics.
La continental crust It is much less thought than oceanic. Therefore, when there are plate movements, there are different results. On the one hand, if two continental plates collide, since they have the same density, neither subducts over the other. What happens in these cases is that a orogenesis. If an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate, it is the one that forms the subduction zone. We are talking about the sea continually narrowing with an area and making part of the oceanic crust enter the interior of the earth's mantle.
When new material is continuously being introduced into the earth's mantle, it is where the convection currents. These convection currents will be due to changes in density in the materials. Recall that the movements between densities occur from where there is greater density to where there is less density.
The lithosphere is made up of a series of tectonic plates on the edges of which is where all these geological phenomena will be. As a result of the friction between the subducting plate and the continental plate, magmatism and even volcanism occur. Seismicity and orogenesis also occur in different cases.
Importance of the Benioff plane
This Benioff plane is very important when studying seismic maps of different areas around the world. It is an area where we can see the different movements of tectonic plates. It is quite useful when predicting where certain earthquakes will occur, as well as in understanding related natural phenomena such as earthquakes. earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
As you can see, the Benioff area is quite interesting to know to know the current movement of the plates. I hope that with this information you can learn more about it.
The truth is that the syntax of the article leaves a lot to be desired, with many sentences that do not make sense.
On the other hand in the scientific aspect the same.
Examples.
Is this decide what can form the earth's crust?
The continental crust is much less think than the oceanic?
It is this collision between plates during the subduction process that causes the deepest earthquakes. The latter is better this way: This collision between plates during the subduction process is what causes the deepest earthquakes.
An orogenesis does not form, an orogen or mountain range is formed. Orogenesis is the process of formation of an orogen or mountain range.
It could indicate many more phrases like that
Thank you.