A subduction zone is a region where two tectonic plates converge and one plate is forced beneath the other, usually into the Earth's mantle. This process creates intense geological activity, including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and the formation of mountain ranges. Subduction zones are typically located around the edges of continents, where oceanic plates are being subducted beneath continental plates. They are important sites for studying the dynamics of plate tectonics and understanding the processes that shape the Earth's surface.