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Rare Subduction Process Discovered Beneath Pacific Ocean

11/5/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Geologists led by Brandon Shuck of Louisiana State University report a rare subduction process beneath the Pacific Ocean near Vancouver Island.
Using seismic imaging, researchers observed deep fractures and microplates in the Juan de Fuca and Explorer plates.
The subduction activity influences earthquakes and volcanic activity and could improve hazard forecasting for the Pacific Northwest, and the findings were published in Science Advances.

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Story summary

Geologists led by Brandon Shuck of Louisiana State University report a rare subduction process beneath the Pacific Ocean near Vancouver Island.
Using seismic imaging, researchers observed deep fractures and microplates in the Juan de Fuca and Explorer plates.
The subduction activity influences earthquakes and volcanic activity and could improve hazard forecasting for the Pacific Northwest, and the findings were published in Science Advances.