Prism (geology) - Accretionary Prism

Accretionary Prism

An accretionary prism or accretionary wedge is formed from sediments that are accreted onto the non-subducting tectonic plate at a convergent plate boundary. Most of the material in the accretionary wedge consists of marine sediments scraped off from the downgoing slab of oceanic crust but in some cases includes the erosional products of volcanic island arcs formed on the overriding plate.

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Famous quotes containing the word prism:

    Neither can I do anything to please critics belonging to the good old school of “projected biography,” who examine an author’s work, which they do not understand, through the prism of his life, which they do not know.
    Vladimir Nabokov (1899–1977)