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The two main types of lithospheric plates are oceanic plates and continental plates. What happens along a convergent boundary between an oceanic plate and a continental plate?

At a convergent boundary between an oceanic plate and a continental plate, the denser oceanic plate will subduct beneath the continental plate. This process can cause earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain building.

Did you know?

Did you know that when an oceanic plate converges with a continental plate along a convergent boundary, a fascinating geological process takes place? The heavier oceanic plate, made of denser basaltic rocks, slides beneath the lighter continental plate, composed mostly of buoyant granitic rocks. This process is known as subduction, and it creates a subduction zone. As the oceanic plate sinks deeper into the Earth's mantle, it generates intense heat and pressure, causing partial melting. This melted material, known as magma, rises towards the surface, forming volcanoes along the continental margin. These volcanic eruptions can lead to the creation of magnificent mountain ranges, such as the Andes in South America or the Cascades in North America. So, when oceanic and continental plates converge, not only do they create awe-inspiring landforms, but they also shape our planet's dynamic geology.