The Himalayan range was—and still is—being formed by the collision of two continental plates. Which geological feature would you expect to find at this type of convergent plate boundary?
a. hydrothermal vent
b. earthquakes
c. subduction zones
d. volcanoes
c. subduction zones
d. volcanoes
To answer this question, we need to understand the process of plate tectonics and the specific type of plate boundary mentioned, which is a convergent plate boundary. Here's how you can figure out the correct answer:
1. First, make sure you understand the terms involved:
- Convergent plate boundary: This is where two lithospheric plates are colliding with each other.
- Geological features: These are physical characteristics found on Earth's surface or sub-surface, resulting from geological processes.
2. Next, consider the process of convergent plate boundaries:
- When two continental plates collide, neither of them is usually subducted (one plate going beneath the other).
- Instead, the collision results in intense compression and folding of the crust, leading to the formation of mountains.
3. Now we can eliminate some options:
- Hydrothermal vents are more commonly associated with divergent plate boundaries, where plates move away from each other.
- While earthquakes are typically associated with all types of plate boundaries, they are particularly common at convergent boundaries due to the intense forces involved.
- Subduction zones involve one plate going beneath another, which is not the case in the collision of two continental plates.
4. Therefore, the correct answer must be "d. volcanoes":
- Volcanic activity is commonly associated with convergent plate boundaries, especially when one of the plates involved is an oceanic plate.
- The collision of two continental plates can result in the uplift of crustal rocks, which can also lead to the formation of volcanoes.
In conclusion, at a convergent plate boundary where two continental plates are colliding, you would expect to find volcanoes as the most likely geological feature.