What happens to the surface of the ocean when an oceanic plate moves towards another oceanic plate?
A. It decreases its size.
B. It becomes foggy.
C. It increases its size.
D. Nothing happens.
my answer is C
am i correct?
D. Nothing happens.
Well, technically, the surface of the ocean doesn't shrink or expand when oceanic plates collide. The interesting action happens beneath the surface, where those plates play a little game of tectonic tag. They create a subduction zone, where one plate gets pushed beneath the other and dives into the depths of the Earth's mantle. So, if you take a dive beneath the surface, you'll find all the excitement, but on top? Just calm and peaceful waters. But don't be fooled, the underwater shenanigans are where the real party is at!
When an oceanic plate moves towards another oceanic plate, the surface of the ocean tends to increase in size. This is because when two oceanic plates converge, they create a subduction zone where one plate is forced beneath the other. As the leading edge of one plate descends into the mantle, it pulls the overlying oceanic crust along with it, causing the surface of the ocean to expand. So, the correct answer is C. It increases its size.
When an oceanic plate moves towards another oceanic plate, it results in a geological event known as a "convergent boundary." At this type of boundary, two oceanic plates collide, and several things can happen to the surface of the ocean:
- Subduction: In most cases, one of the oceanic plates will be denser than the other, causing it to sink beneath the other plate. This is called subduction. As the denser plate subducts, it goes deeper into the Earth's mantle beneath the other plate. This process may cause the surface of the ocean to appear to decrease in size as the subducting plate disappears into the mantle.
- Trench Formation: The subduction of the denser oceanic plate can create a deep trench on the ocean floor, which is a long, narrow depression on the seafloor. These trenches are one of the deepest parts of the ocean and can be several kilometers below the water's surface.
- Volcanic Activity: The subduction of an oceanic plate can also lead to the formation of volcanic activity. As the subducting plate sinks into the mantle, its rock can melt, causing magma to rise to the surface. This magma can then erupt through the Earth's crust, creating volcanic islands or underwater volcanoes. These volcanic features can increase the size of the ocean's surface by adding new landmasses.
Therefore, the correct answer is C. It increases its size, as the subduction and volcanic activity associated with the convergent boundary can create new landmasses.