Kermadec-Tonga subduction zone

Kermadec and Tonga Plates
Map
Approximate surface projection of Australia Plate and Pacific Plate subduction in the South Pacific. Key:
  Shallow back arc earthquakes less than 70 km (43 mi) deep
  Up to 70 km (43 mi) deep subduction shallow-focus earthquakes
  70–300 km (43–186 mi) deep shallow-focus earthquakes
  More than 300 km (190 mi) deep shallow-focus earthquakes
  (blue) Active subduction trenches
  back arc basins
  (brown) back arc ridges
  (yellow) Spreading centers or rifts
  (green) Other ocean floor features
Active faults would be red lines and inactive black but are not shown usually as they tend to be smaller scale features that would add to map complexity. Mouse over shows feature names.

The Kermadec-Tonga subduction zone is a convergent plate boundary that stretches from the North Island of New Zealand northward. The formation of the Kermadec and Tonga Plates started about 4–5 million years ago. Today, the eastern boundary of the Tonga Plate is one of the fastest subduction zones, with a rate up to 24 cm/year (9.4 in/year).[1] The trench formed between the Kermadec-Tonga and Pacific Plates is also home to the second deepest trench in the world, at about 10,800 m,[2] as well as the longest chain of submerged volcanoes.[3]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference :2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "Kermadec sanctuary has world's second deepest trench, 30 underwater volcanoes". Stuff. 29 September 2015. Retrieved 2017-06-09.