A suture zone is an area where two tectonic plates have collided and are in the process of merging or suturing together. This collision can result in the formation of mountain ranges, volcanic activity, and seismic events. Suture zones are important in understanding the history of plate tectonics and the geologic evolution of continents. Researchers in this area study the structures, rocks, and fossils in suture zones to unravel the complex tectonic events that have occurred there over millions of years. By studying suture zones, scientists can gain insight into the processes that shape the Earth's surface and how continents have moved and shifted over time.