Multiple choice

What is a seismic zone extending at an angle of about 45° from the base of an ocean trench, down through lithosphere to the asthenosphere known as ?

  1. Appleton layer

  2. Benioff zone

  3. Conard discontinuity

  4. Convergence zone

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

A Benioff zone, also known as a Wadati-Benioff zone, is a planar zone of seismicity corresponding with the down-going slab in a subduction zone, dipping at roughly 45 degrees from an ocean trench.