Which feature is formed at convergent plate boundaries?(1 point)
East African Rift Valley
San Andreas Fault
Andes Mountains
mid-Atlantic Ridge
To determine which feature is formed at convergent plate boundaries, we need to understand the process occurring there. Convergent plate boundaries are locations where two tectonic plates come together and collide. The nature of the collision depends on the types of plates involved.
There are three types of convergent plate boundaries: oceanic-continental convergence, oceanic-oceanic convergence, and continental-continental convergence.
1. Oceanic-continental convergence: In this scenario, an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate. The denser oceanic plate subducts, or goes beneath, the less dense continental plate. This subduction creates a long, narrow, and deep trench along the boundary. The collision also leads to the formation of mountains due to crustal uplift. The Andes Mountains, located along the western coast of South America, are an example of mountains formed at an oceanic-continental convergent boundary.
2. Oceanic-oceanic convergence: When two oceanic plates collide, one of them typically subducts beneath the other due to density differences. This subduction causes a deep trench to form. Sometimes, volcanic activity occurs as the subducting plate melts, resulting in the formation of volcanic island arcs. A famous example of this is the arc of islands, including Japan, created by the Pacific Plate subducting beneath other plates.
3. Continental-continental convergence: In this case, two continental plates collide. As both plates have similar densities, neither subducts beneath the other. Instead, the collision forms a high mountain range. The Himalayas, which were formed by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates, exemplify this type of convergent boundary.
Based on this information, the feature that forms at a convergent plate boundary would be the Andes Mountains.