Accretion (geology)

Oceanic-continental convergence and creation of accretionary wedge
Stages of accretion through time with accretionary wedge and volcanic island arc

In geology, accretion is a process by which material is added to a tectonic plate at a subduction zone, frequently on the edge of existing continental landmasses. The added material may be sediment, volcanic arcs, seamounts, oceanic crust or other igneous features.[1][2][3]

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  2. ^ Sattler, Helen Roney (1995). Our patchwork planet : the story of plate tectonics. Maestro, Giulio (1st ed.). New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books. ISBN 0-688-09312-4. OCLC 21372888.
  3. ^ Van der Pluijm, Ben A.; Marshak, Stephen (2004). Earth structure : an introduction to structural geology and tectonics (2nd ed.). New York: W.W. Norton. ISBN 0-393-92467-X. OCLC 53231817.